MOSCOW - A television station owned by the Russian defence ministry is offering a job to former "Top Gear" host Jeremy Clarkson.

The BBC announced Wednesday that it wouldn't renew Clarkson's contract after a fracas with a producer, ending his connection to the immensely popular program.

The Zvezda TV channel published a letter to Clarkson on its website late Thursday, inviting him to visit Moscow in April and discuss launching a car show in Russia.

Zvezda also quoted a Clarkson representative, saying that the offer has been forwarded to his client and that he is considering it.

The Guinness Book of World Records has described "Top Gear" as the world's most widely watched factual program. It broadcasts to 214 territories worldwide and has an estimated global audience of 350 million.