SACKING Jeremy Clarkson will significantly weaken Top Gear’s global popularity, according to the man who used to play racing driver The Stig.

Former Billericay resident Perry McCarthy played the original black-suited Stig in the first two series of the hit BBC motoring show, from 2002 to 2003.

BBC director general Tony Hall today announced the corporation would not renew Mr Clarkson’s contract, following its investigation into a fight with show producer Oisin Tymon.

In a TV interview, Perry said: “As a fan of Top Gear and of Jeremy, it is completely disappointing news.

“Tony Hall was probably unable to make any other decision, but if this had been kept confidential and investigated there would have been far more options available.

“It needed to be investigated but there was a brighter way to go about this.

“All of this could have been decided away from the public spotlight.”

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Professional racing driver Perry, who now lives in Mountnessing, believes Mr Clarkson’s departure puts the future of the programme in jeopardy.

He said: “They will continue to try to put the franchise forward, but my feelings are people tune into Top Gear predominantly because of Jeremy and the relationship the three boys bring out on screen.

“That chemistry is now not going to exist anymore and I wonder if it will be as attractive both at home and abroad.”

Mr Hall said the decision to part with Mr Clarkson had been taken with “great regret”.

He added: "For me a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations."