It is claimed the host, 54, saw red with Williams, 23, after his clubcard was refused at a store in Newcastle after it had expired.
A source said: “Jeremy saw red over a card issue. He just snapped.”
The BBC initially confirmed the Top Gear host had been suspended following a "fracas" with a supermarket shelf stacker.
The controversial host was suspended by the BBC after a “fracas”, in which it is alleged that he saw red and hit a member of Tesco's staff after he was informed his clubcard had expired, which he was not informed about, and he would have to apply for a new one, and any existing points on the original card would not be transferred over.
It is understood that Simon Williams, 23 – who has worked at the store for three years – was the man involved in the alleged bust-up. It is said to have taken place after filming in Newcastle with co-hosts James May, 52, and Richard Hammond, 45 when Clarkson decided to go shopping.
One source claimed: “It was all over the clubcard issue. They came to the end of filming after a long day and Jeremy went shopping, only to discover his clubcard had expired and he could not redeem any of the points on the card.
“He just saw red and hit the nearest person, who happened to be shelf stacker Simon Williams, who he blamed for the expired card. He snapped.”
The incident was reported to BBC bosses on Monday who then informed the 54-year-old yesterday he was suspended.
A scowling Clarkson, who last year admitted he was “drinking in the last chance saloon” when it came to his Top Gear job, refused to comment outside his West London home yesterday. When reporters approached Mr William's address in Newcastle, the family dog, Rex, gave a statement: "Woof, woof, woof."
BBC chiefs confirmed that Sunday’s episode of Top Gear had been pulled. The live sections of the show were due to be filmed today but could not go ahead without Clarkson.
The next two episodes, which are the last in the current series, have also been postponed until the investigation into Clarkson’s misdemeanour has concluded. This could take several weeks.
In a statement, the BBC said: “Following a fracas with a BBC producer, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation. No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. We will be making no further comment at this time.”
It comes just days before the Top Gear presenters’ new contracts were due to be finalised.
Clarkson, May and Hammond were all on the verge of clinching three-year deals but now all negotiations have been suspended. Insiders speculated over whether the series could continue without him if he is sacked.
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| Experts have concluded that Mr Clarkson's Clubcard will have looked "relatively" similar to the one shown here |
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