Boris Johnson has said he would "definitely" like to replace Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear, should the BBC presenter be pushed out of his job.
The Conservative London mayor, who hopes to return to the Commons as an MP in May, was asked on Twitter today whether he thought Clarkson should get his job back. Instead, the avid cycler told the Daily Telegraph's Asa Bennett that he fancied the job himself.
Boris appeared on Top Gear back in January 2010. He managed to complete the obligatory race around the track in 1 minute 56 seconds. Which, at the time, placed him third from bottom on the show's table.
Clarkson was suspended from his job at Top Gear, following what was described as a “fracas” with a producer earlier this month.
Boris told the Daily Mail last week the Clarkson was often the victim of "left-wing hysteria". He said: "Everything that happens with Jeremy Clarkson seems to get escalated to some major international incident.
"I think there's a left-wing hysteria about him. He’s the standard bearer for unacceptable attitudes which makes me instinctively want to support him. Clearly they have to work out what happened, and you can’t go round belting people. The truth is that I don’t know what happened with the incident with the steak sandwich or whatever the hell it was, but my instinct is to support him."
Who Could Replace Jeremy Clarkson On 'Top Gear'?
Katie Hopkins(01 of11)
Open Image ModalIf you're looking for someone who doesn't mind being purposefully offensive, look no further than Katie Hopkins. The controversy magnet hits the headlines more often than all the Top Gear stars put together, normally because she's offended someone/a large group of people.
Nigel Farage(02 of11)
Open Image ModalYou've suspended a pint-loving smoker who has his head stuck in the 1940s? Why not employ someone exactly the same person?Nigel Farage has virtually the same political views as Clarkson, so he'd probably be a good fit.
Vladimir Putin(03 of11)
Open Image ModalIf you want someone with outdated ideas about their country's military might and an odd desire to look as masculine as possible, the Russian leader would be a good one to go for. Although he probably won't be free any time soon, he's probably going to be running the Kremlin until he dies.
Piers Morgan(04 of11)
Open Image ModalIf you've ever seen one of Piers' epic Twitter spats with Clarkson, you'll know he's remarkably similar in many ways. The same fashion sense, a similarly punchable face, and all the rest of it.
Angela Rippon(05 of11)
Open Image ModalJohn Inverdale(06 of11)
Open Image ModalDapper Laughs(07 of11)
Open Image ModalChris Evans(08 of11)
Open Image ModalAlan Partridge(09 of11)
Open Image ModalThe veteran radio host's alter ego Steve Coogan is quite the petrol-head, having appeared on the show several times. But wouldn't it be great for the man from Norwich to take you around the Top Gear track whining about "POWERRRR" is his trademark nasal voice?
Kanye West(10 of11)
Open Image ModalPotentially the only ego bigger than Clarkson's.
Mr Blobby(11 of11)
Open Image ModalHe'd certainly be more coherent than Clarkson at times. He's probably also a bit skinnier and a better driver.