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Top Gear

Top Gear viewers abandon BBC after Clarkson is taken off air

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By John Glenday, Reporter

March 17, 2015 | 1 min read

The BBC’s decision to take Top Gear off air in the wake of the latest controversy to envelop its gaffe prone presenter Jeremy Clarkson has backfired in its ratings, with 4m viewers switching off after a filler show was broadcast in its stead.

Top Gear usually pulls in around 5m viewers per episode for BBC 2 but Red Arrows: Inside the Bubble garnered just 1.4m – a paltry six per cent market share.

Angry fans of the show were left to fume on social media after the broadcaster refused to acknowledge how many complaints it had received as it continues to undertake its own internal investigation into an alleged assault on producer Oisin Tymon.

Sunday’s episode was unceremoniously jettisoned at the last minute by the BBC’s director of television Danny Cohen and the rest of the season put on hold following a ‘fracas’ during filming.

Clarkson is said to have punched Tymon during a row over catering and faces being sacked by the broadcaster if proved. A judgement is expected on Friday.

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