Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has claimed that the BBC wanted him to return to the show but that it was "never an option" following the media storm and non-renewal of his contract in March.
In an interview with The Sun, Clarkson said: "I had a meeting with a BBC executive last week and they asked if I'd come back to Top Gear."
He continued: "But it was never an option, even with the one million people signing the Bring Back Clarkson petition - for which I was extremely humbled."
Clarkson said that "too much has gone on" and added: "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," he said.
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."
Clarkson's former co-host, James May, is to present a new show for the BBC, Building Cars Live.
