Jeremy Clarkson will soon be back on screens in the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire presenter's chair for the first time since 2022.
ITV was forced to adjust its autumn slate of programming last year when the Rugby World Cup took precedence over its pre-recorded content last year.
However, it wasn't the need to air the sport that sparked fears of Clarkson being axed from his role but rather a column he'd written about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Clarkson issued an apology soon after he published the column in which he said he "hated" Meghan Markle and dreamt of when she'd be "made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, ‘Shame!’ and throw lumps of excrement at her".
Despite his apology, what followed was a torrent of calls from the cancel culture mob calling for his head, and speculation ITV and Amazon Prime, which airs Clarkson's Farm, would cut ties was rife.
Amazon has since poured water over any rumours of cancelling his record-breaking farming show and ITV will now follow suit by airing the pre-recorded Who Wants to Be a Millionaire episodes later this month.
Jeremy Clarkson is returning to the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire hotseat
ITV
It's been reported that Clarkson and a whole host of budding quizzers will return to ITV on Sunday, January 28.
The Sun and TV Zone UK have reported the date while the latter has claimed the episodes were filmed back in February 2023.
Reacting to the news, Clarkson and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire fans rejoiced to see ITV hadn't decided to shelve the episodes.
"Can’t wait to watch this! I am sure it will be another brilliant series #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire," one fan said on X while a second echoed: "It's about flipping time! #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire."
Jeremy Clarkson faced speculation he'd been axed from ITV
GETTY
TV critic Scott Bryan also shared the news with his followers in which he referenced the Markle column, prompting a number of Clarkson's fans to share their thoughts.
"Remarks that he subsequently apologised for. He is brilliant on that show. He does connect well with the contestants," one X user hit back.
A second added: "Let’s be honest, he’s half the reason anyone watches that show. I doubt most people even recall what he said without being reminded of the incident."
And a third reasoned: "What he said was absolutely disgusting. He apologised unreservedly. So, my question is: Where do you draw the line? Should someone who made a mistake be banned from ever working ever again? Should they be allowed to work unhindered? Somewhere in the middle?" (sic)
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So many kind messages about today’s reports. But relax. Lisa and I have not split up and I have not been sacked as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) March 1, 2023
ITV hasn't confirmed if future series featuring Clarkson are in the pipeline, but Clarkson's Farm fans can celebrate the fact that a fourth season of the series has been greenlit before season three has even begun.
When the furore surrounding his column was as fiery as ever, Clarkson did take to social media to try and allay fears he'd been sacked.
Clarkson said on X on March 1, 2023: "So many kind messages about today’s reports. But relax. Lisa and I have not split up and I have not been sacked as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.”
An ITV statement also said at the time: "For the avoidance of doubt, neither Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? nor Jeremy Clarkson have been cancelled."
One show that has lost Clarkson, however, is The Grand Tour with Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May all leaving the motoring show behind them after they finished filming two final specials set to air this year.
