Clarkson pulls out of presenting Have I Got News For You

One of the TV events of the year has been scrapped after Jeremy Clarkson pulled out of being a guest presenter on Have I Got News For You.

The former Top Gear host, who was suspended by the BBC over a "fracas" involving the show's producer Oisin Tymon, has sat in the HIGNFY hot seat on a number of occasions in the past. But viewers were particularly excited about his planned appearance for April 24, when Clarkson was expected to receive a relentless grilling from Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Clarkson has now backed out of filming, however, with Jimmy Mulville, managing director of show producers Hat Trick Productions, telling the Beeb: "On reflection, Jeremy Clarkson has decided not to host Have I Got News For You. We fully expect him to resume his hosting duties later in the year." More than a million people signed a petition to have Clarkson reinstated as Top Gear host, but the BBC decided not to renew his contract, releasing a statement which said "a line has been crossed".