After weeks of speculation since Clarkson’s infamous fracas with a Top Gear producer, the BBC has officially announced that they will not be renewing the outspoken host’s contract, effectively firing him from the show.

Along with the final three episodes of Top Gear series 22, four Top Gear Live episodes that were also scheduled to be filmed over the course of the last two weeks have also been shelved. Whether or not the unaired segments that had already been created will ever see the light of day remains a mystery.

The decision brings a close to a hugely successful era for both the show and the BBC itself, with Top Gear in its current iteration boasting, at times, the highest viewership of any show in the world, due in no small part to Clarkson’s contributions as both a host and a producer of the series.

Despite an outpouring of support from fans across the world, which included a petition to reinstate the host with over 1,000,000 supporters, which was delivered to the BBC offices by tank, it appears Clarkson will have to find another venue for his brand of automotive shenanigans.

“It is not a decision I have taken lightly”, said Tony Hall, the BBC Director-General. “The BBC must now look to renew Top Gear for 2016. This will be a big challenge and there is no point in pretending otherwise.”

Richard Hammond and James May, who hosted Top Gear along with Clarkson, have expressed dismay over the decision, with May alluding to the fact that he might not work with a replacement on the series – but also not outright stating that:

No matter how you slice it, this is a sad day for Top Gear fans across the world, regardless of fault. Stay tuned for updates on the fate of the series as we have them.