In what appeared to be a show of solidarity with Clarkson, co-star James May and Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman met with the former Top Gear frontman in a secret meeting in London yesterday to plan their next move. Mr May and Mr Wilman were spotted in a car (right) in west London, having dropped Clarkson, 54, to his bicycle. The presenter, who was dropped from the BBC yesterday for punching producer Oisin Tymon, was later spotted cycling home (left). Earlier today, Mr May gave the biggest hint yet that he is to leave Top Gear today after telling reporters that he is to 'go back to normal life.'
Jeremy Clarkson met with co-star James May and Top Gear boss Andy Wilman in a secret meeting today, as the trio continue to plot their next career move.
Clarkson, 54, is said to be weighing up his options after being dropped from the BBC yesterday for punching producer Oisin Tymon.
Mr May and fellow co-star Richard Hammond are both expected to leave the show with him, after claiming the trio ‘come as a package’.
However, in a hint that the Top Gear contingent may be planning to work together again, they were spotted together – minus Mr Hammond who lives in Herefordshire – following a secret meeting in London today.
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Jeremy Clarkson, 54, who was dropped from the BBC yesterday for punching Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, was spotted on his bike in west London today following a meeting with James May and Andy Wilman
Clarkson was dropped back to his bicycle by driver Andy Wilman - the executive producer of Top Gear - and co-star James May (together above) today. The trio had a secret meeting, perhaps to plot their next move
Top Gear boss Andy Wilman was spotted leaving Clarkson's west London flat last night following the announcement that the TV presenter had been unceremoniously dropped from the BBC over the 'fracas'
Clarkson has been spotted out and about on his bike several time since the news of his sacking emerged
Clarkson was spotted being dropped back to his trusty bicycle in west London by driver Mr Wilman and passenger Mr May following the meet-up.
It is not yet known where they met to discuss their plans, but Mr May gave the biggest hint yet that he has no plans to return to Top Gear after suggesting he is to ‘go back to normal life.’
Speaking outside his home today, the presenter admitted he was already considering what to do next with his life - and suggested he might even ditch cars to become a teacher.
He said: 'I might want to do something completely different with my life, I'm quite old now. (I might do) something outside of cars, I always wanted to be a teacher.'
He also seemed to confirm speculation that he would leave the top-rating programme.
Hinting that the show had reached the end of the road, he said: 'We always knew it wasn't going to last forever'.
The apparent show of solidarity comes after insiders revealed that Mr Wilman, the executive producer who created the show's format with Clarkson, and Hammond will also refuse to make any further episodes without the former frontman.
Last night, following the announcement that Clarkson had been dropped by the corporation, Mr Wilman could be seen leaving his close friend's apartment.
Mr May added today that he would 'not necessarily' be returning to Top Gear.
He said: 'I always said that on the day it ends for me I'll have to be magnanimous and look back and say "well that was a stroke of luck, now back to normal life", and that seems to have happened.
'We did it for 12 years. It's a very big moment in our lives, but nothing was going to last forever. We always knew it wasn't going to last forever. We just didn't know how it was going to end.
'So here I go, I'm about to eat some beans and go back to my normal life.'
James May, pictured today outside his west London home on his way to the cash point, said he might quit Top Gear to become a teacher
The show's co-presenter, pictured today as he went to buy cigarettes, said the team knew the show 'wouldn't last forever' and that he was preparing to return to 'normal life'
May (left) has hinted he will quit the show while insiders say Richard Hammond (right) is also due to leave
Speaking about the sacking decision, he added: 'It was a very harsh one, but I think they were probably forced.
'I don't actually know the entire story. A lot of people are making judgements about it, but they don't know the full story either so I don't know.
'This only happened yesterday. We have to spend a lot of time thinking about what we do next.'
Clarkson was dropped by the BBC after an internal investigation found he had launched an 'unprovoked' 30-second physical attack on producer Oisin Tymon because he was offered a plate of cold cuts instead of steak and chips.
Yesterday, Lord Hall, the director-general of the corporation, publicly announced that the BBC would not be renewing Clarkson's contract, saying he had 'crossed the line'.
North Yorkshire Police today revealed it had spoken to 'potential witnesses' over the Clarkson 'fracas' saying it had 'a duty to investigate where we believe an offence might have been committed'.
Following the sacking, the BBC's creative director Alan Yentob last night made it clear he wanted May and Hammond to continue presenting the show without Clarkson.
But both co-stars - who could even be offered Clarkson's role - have now separately hinted that they could leave the show behind.
Via - Daily Mail
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