Top Gear boss Andy Wilman denies he has 'quit show' and calls whoever leaked it a 'tit'

A leaked email published by motoring news website Jalopnik suggested he had resigned

Jeremy Clarkson leaves his home in London following his suspension from Top Gear (PA)

Top Gear’s executive producer has denied reports that he is quitting the show.

Andy Wilman released a statement saying whoever disclosed the email was "a bit of a tit".

In the leaked message, paid tribute to staff on the programme and everyone who has worked with him over the years.

Exposed by the motoring news website Jalopnik, the email was entitled 'Au revoir'.

But in a statement released today, Mr Wilman said the email was not a resignation letter, nor "meant for public consumption".

The email sent to colleagues read: “At least we left ’em wanting more. And that alone, when you think about it, is quite an achievement for a show that started 13 years ago.

“We had a lot of laughs, we had a lot of tiffs. We went to amazing places and we went to some shitholes. We nearly killed a presenter, we had to run for the border.

"Throughout all this we made television that was beautiful to look at and beautiful to listen to. The work ethic never slipped, the desire for everyone in this dysfunctional family to do right by the show never faltered.

"Jeremy, Richard and James, as the visible tip of the iceberg, got most of the attention and praise, but you all in your own fields had such an immense hand in weaving this unforgettable tapestry."

Wilman’s email came after controversial host Jeremy Clarkson was sacked by the BBC for allegedly assaulting a producer.

But in statement today, Mr Wilman said: "The email I wrote yesterday was not a resignation statement, and nor was it meant for public consumption.

"It was a private note of thanks to 113 people who have worked on the show over the years, but clearly one of those 113 is a bit of a tit, because they shared it with a website.

"I don't get this modern obsession with sharing, linking, forwarding, re-tweeting; whatever happened to a private moment?

"And if I were to resign, I wouldn't do it publicly, I'd do it old school by handing in my, er, notice, to someone upstairs in HR.

"I work behind the camera and I wouldn't presume for one moment to think people are interested in what I do. Now, everyone back to work."

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