Here's what Jeremy Clarkson has to say about leaving Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson has spoken out about leaving Top Gear - and that "fracas".

Writing in his Sunday Times (£) column, Clarkson said he was told he "probably" had cancer two days before assaulting producer Oisin Tymon, although he has since been given the all-clear.

I'd been told, sternly, by my doctor that the lump in my tongue was probably cancer and that I must get it checked out immediately. But I couldn't do that. We were in the middle of a Top Gear series. And Top Gear always came first.

After an investigation into the incident, the BBC announced Clarkson's Top Gear contract would not be renewed, with director general Tony Hall saying "a line has been crossed".

Clarkson said he had been "obsessed" with his job and found "the sense of loss was enormous". But he vowed to present another car show, writing: "I have lost my baby but I shall create another. I don't know who the other parent will be or what the baby will look like, but I cannot sit around any more organising my photograph album."

More: The most damning parts of the BBC investigation into the Clarkson fracas

Additional reporting: PA