Jeremy Clarkson snubs Piers Morgan

Jeremy Clarkson has refused to appear on Piers Morgan's new US chat show.

The 'Top Gear' host - who accepted the award for Most Popular Factual Programme at last night's (26.01.11) National Television Awards - slammed 'Piers Morgan Tonight', saying he wouldn't be a guest on the series even if the interview was conducted in his "back garden".

He told BANG Showbiz: "Even if CNN recorded that show in my back garden I still wouldn't go on it. I'm utterly thrilled that Piers Morgan has that job because it means he's 3,000 miles away from where I am."

Meanwhile, Jeremy's 'Top Gear' co-host James May admitted the show's new mystery driving expert - known as The Stig - is "much better" than speedway star Ben Collins, whose identity was controversially revealed last year amid a row over the release of his tell-all autobiography.

However, he refused to address mounting speculation that the new Stig is a woman.

James said: "The new Stig is much better. He's broken two world records in one week, has he not? And he's taught someone to break a record, so he's pretty good, yeah.

"Although 'he' could be he, she or it. We can't say."