Sunday Times columnist Jeremy Clarkson’s big day ended in tears this morning after a protester hit him in the face with a custard pie at a degree ceremony.

The outspoken motoring writer of the year was at Oxford Brookes University to collect an honorary degree in recognition of his “passion for engineering”, highlighted by his championing Isambard Brunel in the Great Britons BBC television series.

But the decision has proved to be controversial, and protesters, including members of Oxford’s Green Party, assembled outside the presentation dressed in Clarkson’s trademark tight jeans and wigs.

Despite stringent security cordons and a massive police presence that outnumbered the handful of protesters waving banners that read On Yer Bike Clarkson at the gates, a woman managed to gain access to a media call after the degree ceremony.

She dashed out in front of the television cameras and, as Mr Clarkson posed in his cap and gown, removed what appeared to be a custard pie from a wrapped-up newspaper and hit him full in the face.

The startled presenter maintained his cool, quipped “good shot” and posed for a few more pictures before beating his retreat.

Mr Clarkson has been criticised for engaging in stunts such as driving a 4x4 through an environmentally-sensitive peat bog in Scotland and inciting people to break the law by hiding mobile phone use while driving.

Speaking shortly before the assault, he defended his record on environmental issues, saying: “I do have a disregard for the environment. I think the world can look after itself and we should enjoy it as best we can.”

But while protesters outside denied any involvement in the prank, they said Mr Clarkson was a “dangerous buffoon” who did not deserve any recognition.

Local councillor Elise Benjamin said: “We keep hearing about the damage caused by yob culture and yet he is a yob culture advocate.”

Protester Denise Lock said Mr Clarkson “makes a living out of offending people”.

“While other universities are rewarding the likes of Nelson Mandela, Brookes is rolling out the carpet for a dangerous buffoon.”

Nearly 3,000 people have signed an online petition against Clarkson receiving the honorary degree.

Billy Bragg, the leftwing political singer and songwriter, is also due to be awarded an honorary degree from the university later this week. "It's nice to get a vibe off these people so I'm very happy to go along and take part," he told EducationGuardian.co.uk.

"To be honest if I was stuck in that crowd I'd go and talk to [Jeremy] Clarkson. At least I'd have a vibe of where he's coming and we'd have something to talk about."

Other Oxford Brookes honorary degrees due to be handed out this week include Sir Michael Brady, BP professor of information engineering at University of Oxford, Henry Chakava, the chairman of East African Educational Publishers, one of Kenya's largest publishing companies, Caroline Elam, the editor of the prestigious arts magazine The Burlington and the architect Peter Clegg.

Lets hope somone pies the rest of em espesially Billy Brag hehehe

I always thought billy bragg was a made up character used to lampoon the loony far left fringe, so hes a real guy?! lol

My My, its so sad how you like to advertise your so called "glory" or "victory" in making jeremy's day "end in tears" when as you can clearly see there is a smile on his face. You sit on here and get so defensive and so annoyed at his views and opinions when really you are so much worse, i mean look, a web page just about bringing clarkson down! get a life, get out there, enjoy your life, if you dont agree with clarkson, dont debate about it on a website, debate about it down the pub, like normal people, i personally think Mr Clarkson is a genius, he has certainly made a lot more money than any of you and has a pretty fabulous life, the man is a genius and not to mention, a journalist, things like the pie in the face jus give him more ammo, more stories in news papers, MORE MONEY, Top gear alone pulls in MILLIONS ever sunday, and the same people watch the repeat TWO DAYS LATER!! while your site struggles to make a few thousand. But hey, this is just my opinion, but im sorry to say that clarkson is the only person i listen to, read, and watch on tv, especially how he took his pie so well, all because of these two things.....

he has a life

he has a sense of humour.

try it! long live jeremy, even if it is jus to annoy people worrying about things they cant change