Articles | Clarkson 'joke' sparks controversy

Clarkson 'joke' sparks controversy

Published: Tuesday, 4 November 2008, 7:44AM

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has sparked controversy by joking about murdering prostitutes.

The presenter made the quip about lorry drivers killing sex workers on Sunday night's BBC2 show.

As Clarkson, 48, completed a lorry-driving task, he said: "This is a hard job and I'm not just saying that to win favour with lorry drivers, it's a hard job.

"Change gear, change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That's a lot of effort in a day."

The joke, made before the 9pm watershed, sparked 188 complaints to the BBC, out of what the corporation said was seven million viewers.

The Iceni Project, a charity which works with prostitutes, criticised the remark.

The group's director Brian Tobin said: "I just think it was highly distasteful and insensitive.

"Maybe people on the BBC should think a bit more before saying some of the things they keep coming out with.

"It is around the time of the anniversary of the Ipswich prostitutes' deaths and it's a very delicate time. I saw it on Top Gear. It made me cringe."

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it had been contacted by viewers angry at the remarks.

A spokesman said: "These complaints are currently being assessed against the Broadcasting Code.

"All UK broadcasters must adhere to Ofcom's Broadcasting Code which sets standards for the content of television and radio broadcasting."

Clarkson's joke comes just a week after Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross found themselves in hot water after a prank phonecall to veteran actor Andrew Sachs.