To be dreading telling DS Clarkson was fired.

[TwinkieTwinkle]

Right decision by the BBC. Absolutely dreading collecting my son from school and telling him though...

Why? The mans a racist sexist twat who punched someone. About time he was sacked, by letting him keep his job it would have sent out the wrong message

Because my son loves Top Gear? Like 1000s of other kids.

I agree with Spadequeen, the man is a vile bullying self important idiot and really NOT a figure to be hero worshipped by impressionable young kids.

What do you think you need to protect him from, exactly?

A great time for him to learn that even if people love you and worship the ground you walk on you still have consequences for being a twat.

But by being honest and telling him exactly how Clarkson was fired you can show him that society will not tolerate bullies.

How old is your ds. Why will he be upset.
My ds is 11 and couldn't care less.
I can't understand why anyone would be upset by this.
If anything it is a positive outcome. It's an example of a violent person being appropriately punished for their appalling behaviour.
No one is above the law no matter how popular they appear to be.

I agree that it's a good chance to show him that violence is not ok.

so if DS loves TG, he should fully blame JC for it's loss or changes to the format, and not just blame the BBC for getting rid of JC just to save a popular program. If he's going to have a massive strop then you could argue that's the influence of Clarkson and his ilk!

Back in the day Jim'll Fix it was popular, so was anything with Rolf in (I'm still gutted about him of all people).I know their crimes are not comparable to what JC did but thank goodness the BBC is learning from past mistakes. You can't just turn a blind eye to behaviours just because someone is a popular money spinner.

You're dreading telling him someone got fired for being violent?

Agree with the PPs. It shouldn't be beyond your abilities to explain the consequences of bad behaviour to your DS. If he's school age, then he must know that some behaviour is not tolerated (and racism, physical violence and verbal abuse certainly come into this category...!)

what would your son expect to happen if someone hit you or DP at work? that they would just walk straight back in to well paid work in the public eye, gloating at their own importance?

time for a lesson in taking responsibility for ones own actions

I think I would be guiding him in picking a new hero...one that at least has some admirable qualities

Good time to learn about consequences

I agree. He should be got rid of. (Apologies for preposition at the end of a sentence).

Whatever happened to that footballer?

just remembered this reminds me of a 14yo boy i used to teach, time and time again he was suspended and his mother would appeal and the school woudl be told we had to take him back, and he would come back swaggering in, the big hero, full of "you can't touch me" and having an impact on what behaviours others would try to get away with because they knew they could. It was soul destroying for us teachers.

YABU as Clarkson is a violent bullying racist man and should have no airtime at all. Life lesson in this.

A bit from the end of the BBC article on this:

"North Yorkshire police have asked to see the BBC's internal report, saying it will be "assessed appropriately and action will be taken... where necessary"."

I'll be telling DD1(6) later. She cried when they pulled the Top Gear program. I don't think she'll mind the JC has gone as long as it continues (I suspect James May is her favourite of the 'silly men'). I'll read through the statement from the BBC and explain why he needed to go (ie broke the law, let alone his employment contract).

Her favourite programs are Silly Men (Top Gear), The cooking one with the man with the moustache (current Masterchef), Spaceship (Star Trek Voyager), Singing program (The Voice), Squashbuckle (SWashbuckle) and Kerwizz (the only one she gets right).

We are Top Gear fans in this house, but JC got absolutely what he deserved.

DS1 asked what had happened and said "ok" when I explained. (Not sure he would react quite so well to the demise of Stampy)

It's hardly the end of the world.

Hmm,..perhaps we should allow violent, arrogant bullies to do what they want just in case a child gets upset if they are sacked?

I think it is an excellent opportunity to teach a child that whoever you are or however popular, you cannot get away with being a bully.

Do you think we could arrange the demise of stampy??????

I can't undertand why your son would be that upset over someone off the telly?! Is he very young?

Tell him that being sacked is what happens to people who bully and assault people.

He wasn't even sacked, they just let his contract lapse. By rights he should've been taken down the police station like anyone else. I hope the producer sues the shit out of him.

He doesn't need to be upset because Clarkson, Hammond and May will undoubtedly go on to star in a new motor programme on another channel which will be just as popular as Top Gear.

It's win win and more win for Jezza and co

Of course you are BU. Dreading telling him? Its only a tragedy if you make it one. Do you even need to tell him? It isnt like his rabbit has died. He will find out in his own time and deal with it however he sees fut without the pressure of your expectation on him to be devastated.

If you explain exactly what JC did, then surely your DS will understand why he had to go.

Your DS will know from life in general that you can't go bullying and attacking people and expect life to carry on as if nothing has happened.