Jeremy Clarkson called the BBC Director of Television himself to tell him he had been involved in a "fracas" with a producer.
The ‘Top Gear’ host was suspended earlier this week following an altercation with Oisin Tymon over a "catering issue" and reported himself to Danny Cohen – who is widely reported to "loathe" the presenter – five days after the row in a bid to have the matter dealt with quickly.
After calling the executive, the 54-year-old star held a meeting with ‘Top Gear’ staff and told them what he had done, reportedly to stop someone else from leaking the incident.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "It is staggering that Jeremy thought it was sensible to bring this to the attention of Danny Cohen, who hates his guts.
"It seems he knew he’d done wrong and wanted to take control of the situation before it leaked."
Though he is said to have admitted the row – which is believed to have been sparked by the presenter being unable to have hot food at a hotel – got physical, Jeremy insisted he didn’t punch the producer.
The source added: "In his mind it was just pushing and shoving. He thinks this has been blown out of all proportion."
Meanwhile, with his future on the show in doubt at the moment, Jeremy, 54, has taken the opportunity to poke fun at himself.
He has changed his Twitter biography to read: "I am probably a presenter of BBC2 motoring show, Top Gear".
The BBC – who have pulled the final three episodes of the current series of ‘Top Gear’ – are planning an inquiry into the incident.
BBC Director-General Tony Hall said: "We have got to establish the facts before we come to a final decision."
Jeremy Clarkson reported himself
