Top Gear's Clarkson dropped after incident

Clarkson, 54, was suspended over two weeks ago following a 'fracas' with producer Oisin Tymon, during which he is alleged to have thrown a punch.

The star of the show is understood to have caused the argument after being denied the opportunity to eat steak and chips after a day of filming, as the hotel they were staying in had closed its kitchen.

The BBC launched an investigation into the affair and the results were made public today.

The network said Clarkson's contract will not be renewed after a physical altercation with the producer.

"A line has been crossed," said BBC's director general Tony Hall. "I cannot condone what has happened on this occasion."

The rest of the current season of Top Gear, which had three episodes remaining, was cancelled as a result of the incident.

Clarkson and co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May were due to be out-of-contract at the end of the month, with talks over new deals being postponed upon the outcome of the inquiry.

Top Gear has five million viewers in the UK, but it's worldwide activities with the show are worth $75million to the BBC's commercial arm.

Hall said the BBC will try to renew the show for 2016, but conceded it would be a "big challenge."