Jeremy Clarkson row could lose BBC £50million-a-year if Top Gear cut

Former BBC presenter Noel Edmonds waded into the row by slamming executives for displaying “sheer incompetence” in their suspension of the controversial Top Gear star, who generates vast income for the corporation.

Although he is facing the sack over an alleged punch-up with an assistant producer, Clarkson, 54, believes he will be exonerated by a disciplinary panel.

But if he is dismissed, the loss of money-spinner Top Gear, which is viewed by 350 million people across the globe, would leave the BBC losing one of its biggest cash cows.

With two episodes shelved and a third in doubt, it could mean renegotiated deals with foreign broadcasters who have paid for all of the current series.

The BBC2 show’s success generates around £50million a year and is broadcast in more than 200 countries.

Top Gear spawns merchandise, magazines, DVDs, live events and locally produced versions in the US and China.

Rival channels are poised to poach Clarkson after allegations that he punched Oisin Tymon, 36, during a row over not being provided with a steak meal at the Simonstone Hall Hotel, North Yorkshire, after filming last week.

But Edmonds was quick to criticise BBC bosses.

The host of Channel 4’s Deal Or No Deal, who presented Top Gear himself in the 1980s, said: “You have to laugh at the sheer incompetence of BBC management.

“Whoever is in senior management has failed appallingly to give Clarkson the support that such a mercurial talent requires.

“Over the last 20 years of appalling BBC management, viewers have come second in the BBC agenda.”

Edmonds said that if the BBC did not air the rest of the series, it would be a decision that is “punishing the viewer”.

Director General Tony Hall refused to “speculate” on Clarkson’s future as the BBC launched an investigation.

Mr Hall said: “There is a lot of speculation.

"We have got to establish the facts and I intend to do that before we come to a final decision.”

Mr Hall said he was a fan of Clarkson but said claims of a fracas – described by the presenter himself as a “scuffle” – were “serious”.

A BBC disciplinary panel, headed by BBC Scotland chief Ken MacQuarrie, has already been convened with witnesses expected to be called by the end of the week.

A formal disciplinary letter summoning the presenter to appear at the hearing is expected to arrive today.

Mr Tymon’s lawyer said his client would make no comment until the investigation concludes.

Clarkson could simply walk away when his contract runs out at the end of the month.

He and co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond were understood to be days from signing new three-year deals.

More than 750,000 people from across the world have signed an online petition demanding that Clarkson be reinstated.

Even Prime Minister David Cameron is supporting the “huge talent”.

But the BBC owns the rights to Top Gear – which raises the prospect of the show continuing while Clarkson fronts a similar programme on a rival channel.