Jeremy Clarkson Fires Savage Putdown At Top Gear Successor Paddy McGuinness

Jeremy Clarkson has fired a brutal putdown at his Top Gear successor Paddy McGuinness following a spat on Twitter.

Clarkson asked 'what on Earth' had happened to Question of Sport, which is now also presented by McGuinness.

Paddy replied: "The same thing that’s happened to Top Gear JC. New personnel, bigger ratings."

But Clarkson has stood by his assessment of the revamped show - which recently parted ways with host Sue Barker after 24 years - sharing a dig at her successor in the process.

Speaking to The Sun, the 61-year-old said: "I didn’t know who the man hosting Question of Sport was. I thought, ‘What the f*** am I watching? What is this programme?’

"A large number of people who I didn’t know were all shouting, ‘What has happened to Question of Sport?'

"And then it turned out the man in the middle of it all does Top Gear.”

Having apparently not known who McGuinness was, Clarkson said he subsequently did some research and concluded he seems 'nice enough' - but he stills thinks Question of Sport is a shadow of what it once was.

He continued: "It was only later that I realised that was Martin McGuinness, oh no he’s the IRA. Paddy McGuinness.

"I read a piece about him the other day, and he seems a nice enough chap but Christ, Question of Sport… it’s a long way from [former team captain] Bill Beaumont isn’t it?

"I don’t understand. Why would you want to change the format? It was so good."

Question of Sport has undergone a shake-up, with former tennis player Barker moved on and replaced by McGuinness.

The 65-year-old said: "I've absolutely loved my 24 years fronting A Question of Sport, it's been my dream job.

"But I understand the BBC want to take the show in a new direction and I'm sad to say goodbye."

Team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell have also been replaced by Sam Quek and Ugo Monye.

Ex-England rugby player Dawson and former England international cricketer Tufnell had led their teams on the show for 17 and 13 years respectively.

A BBC spokesperson said: "We would like to thank Sue for her enormous contribution as the show's longest reigning host over the last 24 years, and Matt and Phil for their excellent team captaincy.

"Together they have ensured A Question of Sport remains a firm favourite with the BBC One audience."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Jeremy Clarkson, Paddy McGuinness, Top Gear, TV and Film

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey