Top Gear Producer Bids Farewell, BBC Director Receives Death Threats

In the aftermath of “Top Gear” host Jeremy Clarkson’s firing, the show’s producer bids farewell, while the BBC’s director receives death threats.

In an email leaked to Jalopnik, executive producer Andy Wilman confirmed his exit from Broadcasting House, proclaiming that he and his crew left everyone “wanting more.” Wilman went on to praise the show as a whole, from the work ethic of the staff and the awards won, to the following “Top Gear” brought and the production values put into the show.

While Wilman has left the building, he did say the BBC will make certain that the show continues for anyone still interested in following suit, adding that he and the hosts “were only part of the show’s history, not the whole of it.”

Meanwhile, BBC Director-General Lord Tony Hall received security at his home in Oxfordshire after an alleged death threat was emailed to him from outside the United Kingdom, according to Scotland Yard. The threat came after the announcement of Jeremy Clarkson’s firing, a decision made after the investigation into the “fracas” between Clarkson and producer Oisin Tymon came to a close.

Edit: Looks like Wilman wasn’t actually leaving. Statement below.

Andy Wilman, Executive Producer, Top Gear, 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.”

A BBC spokesperson said:

“Andy’s email was intended as a heartfelt message to people who had worked with him and Jeremy, to recognise the fact that with Jeremy leaving it was the end of an era. It was not a farewell but a thank you to people who have been important to the show over the last 12 years. It was bringing down the curtain on the Clarkson era, not announcing his own departure.”