James May calls Jeremy Clarkson a 'k**b' after Top Gear star suspended by BBC

Clarkson was suspended from the BBC for allegedly punching a producer

James May has called Jeremy Clarkson a "kn*b". (Getty Images)

Top Gear presenter James May has defended his co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson following his suspension, by calling his colleague “a k**b” but saying he "quite likes him."

Clarkson is currently suspended from the corporation after allegedly punching producer Oisin Tymon, apparently following a disagreement about a lack of catering after a day’s filming.

When asked about whether he knew any more about the incident May replied: “Not very much, I was blind drunk.”

Clarkson, 54, laughed off the incident earlier today as he told reporters he was “off to the job centre” as he left his north London home.

In light of the allegations, the BBC has postponed the final three episodes of the series and is refusing to confirm whether the programme, which is broadcast in more than 200 countries and attracts a global audience of 350 million, will survive the incident, with or without Clarkson.

The presenter has also admitted that he is on his "final warning" at the BBC after he was thought to have used the word "n****r" when reciting a rhyme between takes.

In the past Clarkson has been forced to defend himself and his programme from claims of homophobia after calling a car “a bit gay”, and racism, after fellow presenter Richard Hammond exclaimed: “imagine waking up and remembering you’re Mexican”.

More recently, he apologised for using racial slurs after he repeatedly used the word “slope” (a derogatory term used to describe people of Asian descent) in a Burmese special.