yep, why wasn't clarkson there for the final bit ?
Personally i think it was a little poor taste that he wasnt allowed to do the very final take in the studio, yes i know he punched a producer etc, but it would have been a fitting end for the bbc to allow him to thank everyone.
Whilst i enjoyed the episode on the most part, it was just too odd he wasnt around in the studio but was in the footage, almost like he had died, i actually dont know why they aired it to be honest (let alone the lack of advertising it had), still pulled in 5.3 million viewers.
I agree entirely, which is why I raised it initially without thinking. like you mentioned, it was almost like he had died. shame to let the show fizzle out like that. he should of been allowed to to the final 10 minutes