Wrong Gear for BBC?

5th May

Well, it’s official: A statement released by the Beeb confirmed that Jeremy Clarkson’s contract will not be renewed as a result of his physical altercation with producer, Oisin Tymon. So, after a week of claiming the headlines, the matter is finally concluded. Clarkson: Fired; Clarkson: sacked, screamed the papers. Well, not really.

As PR folk know, sometimes, it’s all in the phrasing. The statement from the BBC confirmed that his contract ‘would not be renewed’, not that he had been dismissed, and with Alan Yentob already saying he would not rule out Clarkson’s return, the actions of the BBC already appear rather toothless.

The BBC has been widely criticised for its handling of the situation, but once Clarkson’s actions were made public, it was a situation that would always be no-win. If no action had been taken, the Beeb would have faced claims of protecting one of its biggest cash cows. Now action has been taken, the organisation faces charges of political correctness. (For the record, I’m not sure how assault can ever be confused with political correctness, but apparently a million viewers disagree).

In reality, it’s the man at the centre of this ‘fracas’ who is the only winner here. No, not Oisin Tymon. He walked away with a split lip. No, with endless publicity, a million name petition demanding his reinstatement and freedom from his BBC contract, it’s Jeremy Clarkson’s stock that is rising and he will no doubt find himself at the centre of the bidding war.

(Disclaimer: I am NOT a Top Gear fan)