Jeremy Clarkson’s controversial departure from Top Gear was “very, very sad”, controller of BBC Two Kim Shillinglaw has said.

But the TV chief said she is “really excited” about the next series of the hit car show with new host Chris Evans, adding that it will be “really different”.

In an interview in front of an audience at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, she said she will always be “fond” of Clarkson and his former Top Gear co-stars Richard Hammond and James May.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond in their last ever Top Gear appearance
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond check out vintage cars in their last ever Top Gear appearance (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

Clarkson’s BBC contract was not renewed after he punched a member of the show’s staff during a “fracas”, prompting the trio to seek new ventures.

They have since tied up a big money deal to front a Top Gear-style motoring show for Amazon Prime customers.

Ms Shillinglaw said: “For me, I think it was a very sad episode in lots of ways and, for me, the biggest reminder is that you know for all this is telly, for all this is business, for all this is a competitive industry, at the end of the day it’s about human beings.

“And I think it was just a very, very human situation.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond in a field
The former Top Gear trio (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

“I am, and always will be, fond of Jeremy, James and Richard. Great respect for their craft skills.

“And I think it was just very, very sad, the way in which, you know human frailties, that I think you have to just as a sort of person be respectful and understanding of, became part of the story.”

Ms Shillinglaw said what happened was not something that was “acceptable”, adding that she does not think any other organisation would find it as such.

She said it showed that sometimes “human beings are bigger than telly”.

Chris Evans
Chris Evans will host the new-look motoring show (David Giles/PA)

Looking ahead to the next series, Ms Shillinglaw said she is “so excited” but also “terrified”.

She said she cannot think of a better person than Evans to front the show due to his passion for cars.

“That’s so important to Top Gear,” she said, adding: “It’s going to be different. There will be continuity but it will be really different.

“So there will be some changes to the show. And it’s scary, but it’s really exciting.”

Chris Evans leaves the BBC Radio studios in London, in his vintage Aston Martin
Chris Evans leaves the BBC Radio studios in London (John Stillwell/PA)

There has been much speculation about who will join Evans on the show, with big names such as Formula One star Jenson Button mentioned in reports.