Jeremy Clarkson has announced last night that he might leave the motoring programme. The blunt-speaking frontman said the BBC show would not return for a new series in the summer. Clarkson said on Saturday: "After last week’s Top Gear, the continuity announcer said the show would be back in the summer. Can I just say, here and now, it won’t be."

This was contradicted by the BBC, which said there was no doubt that the show would return with its original presenters — Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. A spokesman said: “ Top Gear will come back. A summer special is planned and Top Gear will return in the autumn.” Clarkson was not available to comment.