Boris Johnson this morning told followers he would throw his hat into the ring should a vacancy appear at the Top Gear helm - even though he is a "mega Clarkson fan".
During the regular #askboris Twitter event, the Mayor was asked whether he wanted to see the presenter back on the BBC Two show.
He responded that he would "let my name go forward" in the event of Clarkson's dismissal - though he did first express support for the host.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">am mega clarkson fan but if a vacancy wd def let my name go forward. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/askboris?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-78281-https://twitter.com/hashtag/askboris?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#askboris</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/asabenn" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-78281-https://twitter.com/asabenn" data-vars-event-id="c23">@asabenn</a>— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MayorofLondon/status/579990893001850880" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-78281-https://twitter.com/MayorofLondon/status/579990893001850880" data-vars-event-id="c23">March 23, 2015</a>
Mr Johnson has told the Mail his "instinct" is to support Clarkson, who was suspended from his job following a "fracas" in which he is alleged to have punched a producer two weeks ago.
On Friday a petition bearing nearly a million signatures calling for his reinstatement was delivered to the BBC headquarters - in a tank - by a man dressed as 'the Stig', the anonymous driver who sets lap times on the show.
The Mayor's comments came as the broadcaster confirmed it had postponed the Top Gear live shows due to have been held in Norway next week.
Clarkson allegedly punched producer Oisin Tymon during a row over a steak dinner on set.
