Jeremy Clarkson has been leading the tributes to actor Sir Michael Gambon who has died in hospital aged 82.

The former Top Gear presenter, whose Diddly Squat Farm is in Chadlington, has expressed his condolences, recalling the actor was such a “tremendous guest” he had a corner named after him on the BBC show’s race track.

Mr Clarkson dubbed one of the parts of the Top Gear race track ‘Gambon corner’ in honour of the Dublin-born star who went round it on just two wheels during series one.

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“I’m so sad to hear that Michael Gambon has died,” Mr Clarkson said.

“He was hugely amusing, and such a tremendous guest. We even named a corner after him.”

Sir Michael, who appeared on the car show a number of times, previously admitted he was not ‘looking forward’ to Top Gear without Mr Clarkson after his controversial sacking in 2015. 

In 2016, ahead of a new series of Top Gear without Mr Clarkson, Mr Gambon was asked if he’d still like his name attached to show in an interview with BBC radio presenter Simon Mayo.

He said: “I think they should keep it in and make it even better. But I’m not happy about the prospect of that coming on.

“I’m addicted to the man before. I love Jeremy and I’m sorry about all that happening.”

Sir Michael, who has won four TV Baftas, is known for his extensive back catalogue of work across TV, film, radio and theatre over a career spanning five decades.

In recent years he played Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight Harry Potter films.

He is also known for playing French detective Jules Maigret in ITV series Maigret, and for his 1986 role as Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective.

He appeared at the Oxford Union in 2016 and the full 55 minute video from his talk at the event can still be viewed on YouTube. 

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Oxford Mail:

A statement issued on behalf of Lady Gambon and son Fergus Gambon said: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.

“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”

Sir Michael made his first appearance on stage in a production of Othello at the Gates Theatre, Dublin in 1962 when he returned to Ireland following his move to the UK.

He was knighted for his contribution to the entertainment industry in 1998.

He put in a memorable performance in the BBC’s 2015 adaptation of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy and his illustrious theatre career includes appearances in Alan Ayckbourn’s The Norman Conquests, The Life Of Galileo and Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2.

In 2016 he appeared as Private Godfrey in the big screen adaptation of Dad’s Army, and his other film roles included period dramas such as 2010’s The King’s Speech, 2001’s Gosford Park and 2017’s Victoria & Abdul.

Sir Michael was also recognised by American awards with Emmy nominations for Mr Woodhouse in 2010 for an adaption of Jane Austen’s Emma and as former US president Lyndon B Johnson in Path To War in 2002.

His turn in David Hare play Skylight, about the fallout of an affair, also led to a Tony nod in 1997 and earlier in 1990 he secured an Olivier Award for comedy performance of the year for diplomatic comedy Man Of The Moment at the Globe, now the Gielgud Theatre.