Jeremy Clarkson, the controversial presenter of hit BBC program Top Gear, says he's waiting for his suspension to "blow over".
Meanwhile, an online petition for him to be reinstated has gathered more than 260,000 signatures.
"I'm having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over," the 54-year-old, who has been repeatedly criticised for his xenophobic comments, was quoted as saying in The Sun daily.
The BBC said on Tuesday it had suspended Clarkson and cancelled coming episodes of his immensely popular motoring television program after he was involved in a "fracas" with a producer.
The outspoken presenter has helped Top Gear become one of the BBC's biggest shows, drawing 350 million viewers a week in 170 countries.
The Radio Times magazine said Clarkson, who was already on a final warning over his alleged use of racist language, was accused of aiming a punch at a male producer.
"Following a fracas with a BBC producer, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation," the BBC said in a statement.
No sooner had the suspension been announced that fans set up a petition urging the BBC to reinstate Clarkson.
"We the undersigned petition the BBC to reinstate Jeremy Clarkson. Freedom to fracas," said the online appeal at change.org, which had gained more than 260,000 signatures by Wednesday morning.
"I'm signing because Clarkson is a superb presenter and Top Gear is without doubt one (of) the BBC's better programs. The viewing figures support this," wrote a supporter named Peter Maxwell.
A petition for the BBC to sack him had just 800 supporters.
"Clarkson has got away with his bigoted rantings for far too long whilst others have been sacked for less. Why do the BBC let him get away with it?" signatory Caryne Pearce said.
Clarkson indicated in February he might have been unhappy with the show by tweeting: "Wanted: new presenter for Top Gear. Applicant should be old, badly dressed and pedantic but capable of getting to work on time."
The BBC cancelled the broadcast of the latest episode scheduled for Sunday, in which Clarkson and co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May were to showcase classic cars.
