Jeremy Clarkson in four-letter rant to boy, 12

Top Gear big-mouth Jeremy Clarkson went into four-letter drive...when a 12-year-old boy took his picture on holiday.

The BBC motoring show presenter tore into youngster Tom Dickman for snapping him asleep on a beach in Barbados.

He confronted the terrified youngster in front of shocked onlookers and ranted: "Are you the little f***er that took my picture? If you do that again or it goes on the internet I will hunt you down and rip your f***ing head off."

Tom ran to his dad Chris in tears. The 37-year-old garage owner, from Hitchin, Herts., said: "I saw it all happen.

"Tom was a huge fan of Top Gear and Clarkson was his hero. He watched the show every week and even asked me to buy him the DVDs for Christmas and birthdays.

"He was so proud when he come back the day before to show me his little digital camera and say, 'I've just taken a picture of Jeremy Clarkson'. I was made up for him - he only took the picture to show his mates at school that he'd really seen his hero on his holiday. But Clarkson's reaction was out of order. He utterly humiliated and scared my son."

The families were staying at next-door hotels - the Dickman's at the £150-a-night Colony Club and Clarkson and his family at the £200-a-night Coral Reef Club - when Tom snapped the TV presenter on the beach.

The next day Clarkson approached Tom, swearing and threatening him before heading off jet-skiing with his own three children. When he returned from the trip Tom's dad confronted him. "I was furious, like any father would be," he said. "I went over and told him, 'Clarkson, if you've got a problem with my son, take it up with me'. But he refused to apologise and just shuffled off."

The family complained about Clarkson to the BBC - but a spokesman would only say: "Mr Clarkson was on a private holiday."

Chris said: "I was disgusted by the BBC's response. Who the hell does Clarkson think he is?" And Tom vowed: "I used to think Top Gear was great - but I won't watch it ever again."

Father-of-three Clarkson, 47, would not comment.