BBC Offering Jeremy Clarkson to Return to Top Gear, Ex-Host Says

Did BBC really want Jeremy Clarkson back after sacking him? The former Top Gear host claims he was asked by a top executive if he would come back.

"I had a meeting with a BBC executive last week and they asked if I'd come back to Top Gear," he reportedly said, according to Contact Music.

Clarkson also explained why he turned down the offer and let Chris Evans take his role.

"The spotlight would have been on me and the show would end up being neutered. It would be difficult to do anything without interference. It would have been impossible to make the show I'd want to make. I think they knew this so that's why they gave the job to Chris so soon after I met them," he said.

He also said that too much had gone on as they had compared him to Jimmy Savile.

"After I'd been compared to Jimmy Savile by someone from the BBC and it was splashed all over a Sunday newspaper, how could I go back?" Clarkson said.

However, BBC said the contract was not offered to Clarkson. Chris Evans has been selected to host the show and the hunt is on for co-hosts.