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| BBC postpones Top Gear Live show due to uncertainty over fate of Clarkson | BBC postpones Top Gear Live show due to uncertainty over fate of Clarkson |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The BBC has been forced to postpone a live Top Gear show due to be attended by almost 20,000 people because of ongoing uncertainty over the fate of presenter Jeremy Clarkson amid allegations he punched a producer. | |
| BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, runs an annual global tour called Top Gear Live, with the next event scheduled to take place in Stavanger, Norway, with four shows on 27 and 28 March. | BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, runs an annual global tour called Top Gear Live, with the next event scheduled to take place in Stavanger, Norway, with four shows on 27 and 28 March. |
| Clarkson is critical to the shows, having appeared at every Top Gear Live event run by the BBC. But he remains suspended while the corporation concludes its inquiry into the star’s “fracas” with a producer while filming the show. | Clarkson is critical to the shows, having appeared at every Top Gear Live event run by the BBC. But he remains suspended while the corporation concludes its inquiry into the star’s “fracas” with a producer while filming the show. |
| “Top Gear Live regrets to inform ticket holders for next week’s shows in Stavanger, Norway, that we will be postponing all four performances, with rescheduled dates for later this year to be confirmed within the next fortnight,” said a spokesman for the event. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause fans and we will endeavour to contact all ticket holders directly to inform them of the change of date.” | “Top Gear Live regrets to inform ticket holders for next week’s shows in Stavanger, Norway, that we will be postponing all four performances, with rescheduled dates for later this year to be confirmed within the next fortnight,” said a spokesman for the event. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause fans and we will endeavour to contact all ticket holders directly to inform them of the change of date.” |
| It is understood that about 18,000 fans had bought tickets to the event, paying from £45 to £100 each. Fans are likely to be able to claim for a refund if they cannot make the new dates. However, it is not standard practice in the event industry to refund travel and accommodation costs fans may have already paid for. | It is understood that about 18,000 fans had bought tickets to the event, paying from £45 to £100 each. Fans are likely to be able to claim for a refund if they cannot make the new dates. However, it is not standard practice in the event industry to refund travel and accommodation costs fans may have already paid for. |
| The corporation’s inquiry into the incident is expected to report back next week. | The corporation’s inquiry into the incident is expected to report back next week. |
| Such uncertainty over Clarkson’s participation has not left BBC Worldwide – which runs the live shows as a joint venture with partner Brand Events – with the confidence or the time to ensure it delivers the Top Gear Live event it has billed to fans. | Such uncertainty over Clarkson’s participation has not left BBC Worldwide – which runs the live shows as a joint venture with partner Brand Events – with the confidence or the time to ensure it delivers the Top Gear Live event it has billed to fans. |
| Top Gear Live has a string of events lined up this year in Sydney in April, Belfast in May, Sheffield and Johannesburg in June and at London’s O2 in November. | Top Gear Live has a string of events lined up this year in Sydney in April, Belfast in May, Sheffield and Johannesburg in June and at London’s O2 in November. |
| “At present, all other Top Gear Live dates will run as scheduled,” said a spokesman. | “At present, all other Top Gear Live dates will run as scheduled,” said a spokesman. |
| In the event that Clarkson is fired it is not clear what will happen to the Top Gear Live world tour. Clarkson has appeared at every Top Gear Live event the BBC has run, while James May and Richard Hammond only appear at some shows. | In the event that Clarkson is fired it is not clear what will happen to the Top Gear Live world tour. Clarkson has appeared at every Top Gear Live event the BBC has run, while James May and Richard Hammond only appear at some shows. |