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James May has publicly condemned the online abuse suffered by Sue Perkins from Top Gear fans following reports that she was set to replace Jeremy Clarkson.
The presenter, who also starred alongside Richard Hammond in the BBC series, said the trio didn’t want trolls who send death threats as fans and suggested they should go “kill themselves” instead.
“Obviously I don't actually want people to kill themselves,” he quickly clarified.
Perkins, who presents The Great British Bake Off
She denied the speculation, tweeting to one fan’s question as to whether or not she would be taking on the role.
She wrote: “A. It is obviously IS against me and B. I am not. So rest assured!”
But that didn't stop the flow of wrath from angry Top Gear fans, who she claims have bombarded her:
Guys, post the utterly fabricated story about me and Top Gear, my timeline has been full of blokes wishing me dead...
Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) April 14, 2015 This morning, someone suggested they'd like to see me burn to death.
Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) April 14, 2015 Perkins has since announced she’s decided to take a break from the social media site.
All of which goes to say that I am off Twitter for a bit. Love and peace x
Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) April 14, 2015 Clarkson was let go by the BBC after an internal inquiry found him guilty of punching a show producer in a row over catering arrangements.
Show all 14 1 /14Things you never knew about Top Gear Things you never knew about Top Gear Top Gear isn't really for adults It's 'aimed at people with a mental age of nine', according to executive producer Andy Wilman.
BBC
Things you never knew about Top Gear Planet Earth loves it... Top Gear is screened in more than 100 countries worldwide and has millions of fans.
BBC
Things you never knew about Top Gear ...but not all motoring hacks do You might think Jezza was a hero of the motoring hack world but that's not strictly accurate. Telegraph journalist Neil Lyndon summed Top Gear's 21st birthday last year up well: 'Does that mean Billy Bunter and his gang finally get forced out of the Fourth Remove and into long trousers?'
BBC
Things you never knew about Top Gear The Top Gear theme tune is a classic rock song Seven-minute instrumental 'Jessica' by The Allman Brothers was a hit in 1973. Top Gear has recorded its own version now but used part of the original recording at first. One for the road trip playlist.
Things you never knew about Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson couldn't get much more controversial if he tried The presenter is currently suspended from the BBC following a 'fracas' with a producer over a steak dinner. Past scandals include a string of racism allegations.
PA
Things you never knew about Top Gear This Porsche caused all sorts of trouble in Argentina The Top Gear team were forced to flee Argentina after locals took offence at the car's number plate - believing it was a deliberately provocative reference to the Falklands War of 1982.
AP
Things you never knew about Top Gear If it's car-buying advice you want, look elsewhere It's an in-joke in Top Gear that they don't do car tests. You would be mad to make a purchases based on Jezza's verdict.
Getty Images
Things you never knew about Top Gear Richard Hammond had a near-death experience filming Top Gear The 'Hamster' was filming a Top Gear segment in a dragster called Vampire when its front-right tyre burst at 288mph. Hammond spent two weeks in a coma but luckily went on to make a full recovery. He requested that no mention of the crash was made in future Top Gear episodes.
Getty
Things you never knew about Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson is more than a little bit taller than Richard Hammond Nine inches, to be precise.
Rex
Things you never knew about Top Gear Top Gear used to offer real advice Before these lads took over, it was a real car-reviewing show with presenters such as Angela Rippon, who gave practical reviews of down-to-earth workhorses such as Cavaliers or Mini Metros.
Getty Images
Things you never knew about Top Gear Those 'reasonably priced' cars take quite a battering Denis Chick, of Vauxhall, is brave to have lent the show a fleet of his Astras. He said: "Vauxhall Astra sales would not improve if everyone drove like Jimmy Carr around the Dunsfold track." The comedian hilariously took his test car's front off-side tyre clean off its rim.
BBC
Things you never knew about Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson is a YouTube star Stray down the motoring internet hole and you'll find lovingly posted videos of 'Clarkson the early years' with incredibly loud hair reviewing 1990s cars in an oddly sensible manner. Very disturbing viewing.
Getty Images
Things you never knew about Top Gear There have been multiple Stigs Racing driver Perry McCarthy was stuntsman The Stig on the first two series of Top Gear - here's the man under that famous helmet.
Rex Features
Things you never knew about Top Gear Ben Collins was The Stig for eight years Ben Collins was The Stig on Top Gear for eight years. He left amid a clash with the BBC when he unmasked his identity and published an autobiography. Collins thinks Top Gear has 'lost some of its sparkle'.
Rex Features
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