Top Gear producer Andy Wilman has denied reports that he has quit the hit show in the wake of Jeremy Clarkson's sacking.

An email he sent to staff on the show congratulating them on making "one of the most iconic programmes in TV history" was published yesterday and widely reported as a resignation statement.

But today Mr Wilman, whose friendship with Clarkson dates back to their school days, said: "The email I wrote yesterday was not a resignation statement, and nor was it meant for public consumption.

"It was a private note of thanks to 113 people who have worked on the show over the years, but clearly one of those 113 is a bit of a tit, because they shared it with a website.

"I don't get this modern obsession with sharing, linking, forwarding, retweeting. Whatever happened to a private moment?

"And if I were to resign, I wouldn't do it publicly. I'd do it old school by handing in my notice, to someone upstairs in HR.

"I work behind the camera and I wouldn't presume for one moment to think people are interested in what I do. Now, everyone back to work."