Buried deep in the article above is the key: Clarkson was in talks to sign a new three year deal.

The rumor is Clarkson pulls down one million pounds (A year? An episode?) and since Top Gear is or is at least said to be the BBC's top money machine I am sure his Agent was pushing hard for a raise.

So the suits invoke a never used clause in his contract to sack him and then go around wringing their hands about how they hate to do it and blah, blah, blah....

Meanwhile they offer Clarkson less than what he was getting and tell him to take or find another network to be on. But wait! There are no other networks he could be on since he is a part of a team. Would one of the Three Stooges go off on their own and be a hit? Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis managed to pull it off, but it is not easy and at Clarkson's age it might be impossible.

So I look for him to be back and all will be forgiven when the BBC runs a few focus groups and finds they need him or the show will tank.

At least that's the way these things usually work.