WATCH - James May: 'Jeremy Clarkson's a k***…but I was blind drunk during Top Gear row'
TOP GEAR co-host James May has today claimed he was "blind drunk" during an incident between Jeremy Clarkson and a BBC crew member.
WARNING – THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SOME STRONG LANGUAGE
James May - I was blind drunk (warning- contains strong language)
Clarkson, 54, was suspended by the BBC last night "following a fracas with a producer" - believed to be a bust-up with 36-year-old Top Gear crew member Oisin Tymon.
Save Clarkson? Save empty cardboard boxes and off-cuts of string. They're far more useful
However, co-star May today branded the ongoing row "ridiculous" while speaking from his home this afternoon.
Asked whether or not he supports Clarkson over the matter, the 52-year-old replied: "I've said many times before, the man is a k***. But I quite like him."
Referring to the incident that triggered Clarkson's suspension, May admitted he recalls "not very much".
"I was blind drunk," he added, before telling reporters he would make "no further comment, sorry".
Earlier today, Clarkson was spotted leaving his London home in jovial spirits.
"I'm off to the Job Centre," the 54-year-old joked with waiting members of the press, adding: "At least I'll make the Chelsea game now."
It is understood Clarkson, along with May and fellow Top Gear star Richard Hammond were on the brink of signing a new contract for another three years with the BBC.
However, the latest controversy could jeopardise their new deals.
The three motoring show presenters joked about the BBC suspension on Twitter when the news broke last night.
"Save Clarkson? Save empty cardboard boxes and off-cuts of string. They're far more useful," May posted on Twitter yesterday.
He had previously told BBC News earlier today that Clarkson had a "bit of a dust up" over dinner, referring to the incident with a producer.
"But I don't think its that serious," he added.
Some 350,000 people have already signed a petition calling on the BBC to reinstate Clarkson.
The corporation has confirmed the episode set to air on Sunday has been pulled from the schedule, however, the fate of the remaining episodes in the current series is still unknown.
Top Gear is one of the broadcaster's biggest money-spinners, pulling in millions of pounds from its domestic and international audience.
At the end of 2012, the BBC paid Clarkson £14million, which is believed to have included buying out his 30 per cent stake in Bedder 6 – the company that owns the Top Gear brand.
In a statement last night, the BBC confirmed: "Following a fracas with a BBC producer, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation.
"No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. The BBC will be making no further comment at this time."
