Marmitesque TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson is embroiled in further controversy this weekend, after revelations that the Top Gear production team was attacked by an angry crowd of Argentinians.
Clarkson, who reputedly earns £1 million a year for fronting the popular BBC Two motoring programme, was in South America filming on the remote Patagonian Highway between Argentina and Chile.
The outspoken presenter was driving a Porshe 928 with the registration number H982 FKL, which some of the locals interpreted as mocking Argentina's defeat in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.
Speaking on Twitter shortly after his return to the UK, Clarkson said: "The number plate WAS a coincidence. When it was pointed out to us, we change it.
"They threw us out for political capital. Thousands chased crew to border. Someone could have been killed."
Several images have been published showing damage sustained to the vehicle when angry natives threw missiles at it.
Andy Wilman, executive producer for Top Gear, said on Thursday: "Top
Gear production purchased three cars for a forthcoming programme; to
suggest that this car was either chosen for its number plate, or that an
alternative number plate was substituted for the original is completely
untrue."
Top Gear in general and Clarkson in particular are never far away from controversy. Earlier this year the 54 year old received a final warning from BBC bosses when footage emerged showing him using a racially offensive term.
Despite drinking in last chance saloon, Clarkson was in trouble again when Ofcom upheld a complaint about him referring to an Asian man as a "slope" in the Top Gear Burma special.
Despite drinking in last chance saloon, Clarkson was in trouble again when Ofcom upheld a complaint about him referring to an Asian man as a "slope" in the Top Gear Burma special.
Sky News has produced a helpful summary of some of Clarkson's other notable gaffes.
Marmitesque is right! I happen to like Marmite, and I happen to like Jeremy Clarkson. (Top Gear is why God invented YouTube.) His irreverent humour is a most welcome antidote to Political Correctness Gone Mad. The English are well-known for their ability to mock any nationality at all, including their own, without fear or favour. Many of us have lost this ability. Clarkson hasn't. More power to his elbow.
ReplyDeleteOn the current issue, I don't doubt for a moment that it was accidental. If he'd thought of it, he'd have said so. I trust Jeremy Clarkson to speak his mind. I wouldn't trust his bosses at the BBC any further than I can throw their threatograms.