Jeremy Clarkson will return to Top Gear next year unless he is eaten by 'a pack of wild dogs'

Rumours the presenter will be sacked have been rife after racism complaints

Jeremy Clarkson has denied he will be sacked from Top Gear after racism complaints (Getty Images)

Jeremy Clarkson has hit back at rumours that he could be sacked from Top Gear after a flood of racism complaints.

The controversial presenter, 54, revealed in the latest issue of the show’s magazine that he would be returning for a new run next year.

“There has been a lot of stuff in the newspapers recently about the future of Top Gear. Some seem to think there isn’t one,” he said.

“But I can assure you, there is. There are also those who think I won’t be part of it. Well, sorry, but I am. Unless I am eaten by a pack of wild dogs before the next series starts early next year.”

There was a public backlash against Clarkson when it emerged that he had used the n-word in nursery rhyme “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe” during a Top Gear outtake.

Frankie Boyle calls Jeremy Clarkson a 'cultural tumour'

He called an Asian man a “slope” as part of a “humourous” play on words in last year’s Burma special, and he has been criticised for jokes about Mexicans and other national groups before.

Last month, BBC director of television Danny Cohen said that while he found Clarkson’s language “entirely unacceptable”, the man himself “does not see a problem” with it.

“It’s like football clubs. No-one is bigger than the club,” Cohen told an Edinburgh International Festival audience. “No one show or person is bigger than the BBC and that includes me.”

Earlier this week, Chris Evans was forced to deny that he will be replacing Clarkson on Top Gear after speculation began growing that he was being considered for the hosting slot.

Top Gear gaffes

July 2014: Ofcom finds Top Gear has breached broadcasting rules after Clarkson commented on there being a “slope” on a makeshift bridge across the River Kwai as an Asian man came into shot.

February 2011: The Mexican ambassador to the UK complains of “outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable insults” to his country after Clarkson and his colleagues made a string of jokes about Mexico’s national character.