Jeremy Clarkson’s most controversial moments
Love him or loathe him, there is really no way of ignoring the walking controversy that is Jeremy Clarkson.
This former Top Gear presenter may find himself in-between jobs right now, but should he never return to the small screen, he’s packed in more headlines in the last few years than most people achieve in a lifetime.
Minus the cursing, here are some of his most scandalous moments and the people he has offended.
Mexicans
Clarkson wasn’t alone in abusing the entire nation of Mexico, as co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May both weighed in with insults based on tired national stereotyping. Clarkson joked that Mexican officials would be too asleep to ever notice the comments.
Lorry drivers
While driving a lorry, Clarkson made comments which alluded to the murderous Yorkshire Ripper campaign of HGV driver Peter Sutcliffe. Media watchdog Ofcom let him off with that one while Sutcliffe himself dubbed Clarkson ‘an idiot’ in a letter to a pen-pal.
Indians
Only Clarkson would drive around an Indian slum in a Jaguar fitted with a toilet while the country’s food, culture and transport systems also got it in the neck. Some people love him for that kind of bravado, others find it despicable.
Argentinians
More car-based bother as he drove around Argentina with a registration plate (H982 FKL) which appeared to be taking a pot shot at the host nation over the Falklands War. Amid fears of retribution by locals, Clarkson and co fled for Chile before heading home.
Strikers
Clarkson took to the usually tame One Show to have a go at public service workers who were conducting a one-day strike. ‘Having a go’ is putting it rather mildly, as he opined that the strikers should be shot in front of their families. Over 30,000 complaints rained onto the BBC who later said ‘sorry’.
Gordon Brown
While discussing the global financial crisis in 2009, Clarkson referred to the-then Prime Minister as a ‘one-eyed Scottish idiot’. Scottish politicians and charities for the blind expressed their outrage. In a relative rarity, Clarkson later apologised.
N word
It may have been an outtake, but his recital of an old nursery rhyme with its offensive racial epithet included caused a furore. Clarkson himself later admitted that he was on his last warning at the BBC.
The Welsh
The Welsh have arguably been on the end of his caustic tongue more than any other nationality. Down the years, he has microwaved a plastic map of Wales, called for the Welsh language to be abolished and suggested that motorists should test-drive fast cars on rural roads in Wales because ‘no one wants to live there’.
Who do you think should replace Clarkson on Top Gear?

Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor

Latest posts by Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor (see all)
- Clever uses for eggshells - March 1, 2021
- Spring Cleaning Playlist - February 28, 2021
- Spring Cleaning Tips - February 28, 2021
- Silversurfers Book Club Spring 2021 - February 25, 2021
- Elizabeth Taylor’s most memorable movie roles - February 25, 2021
Leave a Comment!
Log in to comment
You need to be logged in to interact with Silversurfers. Please use the button below if you already have an account.
LoginNot a member?
You need to be a member to interact with Silversurfers. Joining is free and simple to do. Click the button below to join today!
JoinCommunity Terms & Conditions
Content standards
These content standards apply to any and all material which you contribute to our site (contributions), and to any interactive services associated with it.
You must comply with the spirit of the following standards as well as the letter. The standards apply to each part of any contribution as well as to its whole.
Contributions must:
be accurate (where they state facts); be genuinely held (where they state opinions); and comply with applicable law in the UK and in any country from which they are posted.
Contributions must not:
contain any material which is defamatory of any person; or contain any material which is obscene, offensive, hateful or inflammatory; or promote sexually explicit material; or promote violence; promote discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; or infringe any copyright, database right or trade mark of any other person; or be likely to deceive any person; or be made in breach of any legal duty owed to a third party, such as a contractual duty or a duty of confidence; or promote any illegal activity; or be threatening, abuse or invade another’s privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety; or be likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person; or be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person; or give the impression that they emanate from us, if this is not the case; or advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act such as (by way of example only) copyright infringement or computer misuse.
Nurturing a safe environment
Our Silversurfers community is designed to foster friendships, based on trust, honesty, integrity and loyalty and is underpinned by these values.
We don't tolerate swearing, and reserve the right to remove any posts which we feel may offend others... let's keep it friendly!
Hope he's back on-screen soon!