Jeremy Clarkson claims he was offered a return to Top Gear - just days before his former job was given to Chris Evans.

The former presenter, sacked for punching a producer in a row over dinner, told the Sun he met an unnamed BBC executive last week before Evans, 49, was unveiled as the new host.

But he said that he turned it down because of what had happened since his departure.

Clarkson, 55, told the Sun: "I had a meeting with a BBC executive last week and they asked if I'd come back to Top Gear.

"But it was never an option, even with the one million people signing the Bring Back Clarkson petition - for which I was extremely humbled.

"Too much has gone on. After I'd been compared to Jimmy Savile by someone from the BBC and it was splashed all over a Sunday newspaper, how could I go back?

"The spotlight would have been on me and the show would end up being neutered. It would be difficult to do anything without interference. It would have been impossible to make the show I'd want to make."

A BBC spokesman said: "We haven't offered another Top Gear contract and the BBC had placed on record its thanks to Jeremy for his broadcasting on the programme and wish him well for the future."

Evans was unveiled as the new face of Top Gear on Tuesday and has since revealed he is to hold auditions to find a co-host.

Wannabee-hosts must make a short video, lasting no longer than 30 seconds, to post on a website which will be released today.