Top Gear executive producer denies he is quitting show

Top Gear's executive producer Andy Wilman has denied reports that he has quit the hit show in the wake of Jeremy Clarkson's sacking because of his long-term friendship with the presenter.

Yesterday Mr Wilman sent an email to staff on the show congratulating them on making "one of the most iconic programmes in TV history" which was widely reported to be a resignation statement.

Mr Wilman, whose friendship with Clarkson dates back to their school days, said: "The email I wrote yesterday was not a resignation statement, and nor was it meant for public consumption.

"It was a private note of thanks to 113 people who have worked on the show over the years, but clearly one of those 113 is a bit of a tit, because they shared it with a website."

He added: "I don't get this modern obsession with sharing, linking, forwarding, retweeting. Whatever happened to a private moment?

"And if I were to resign, I wouldn't do it publicly. I'd do it old school by handing in my notice, to someone upstairs in HR.