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Ofcom unimpressed with Clarkson 'gay' jibe

21/05/2007

Media regulator Ofcom has upheld complaints about Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson's description of a car as "a bit gay".

The outspoken motoring pundit made the comments on an edition of the show broadcast in July 2006. He agreed with an audience member that the car was "a bit gay" before describing it as "very ginger beer" – rhyming slang for "queer".

In December last year the BBC reprimanded Clarkson, known for his aversion to anything remotely resembling political correctness, after agreeing the comments should never have been aired.

Now Ofcom has stepped in, agreeing with the BBC's ruling. It said "gay" could be used in a derogatory way and that Clarkson had made clear on the programme it was this use of the word which he was emphasising.

"This, in Ofcom's opinion, meant that the use of the word became capable of giving offence," the regulator said.

"In the context, there was no justification for using the word in this way."

Clarkson appears to have not learned his lesson, however. The Times reports him as responding: "It wasn't a gay car – it was actually a bit lesbian."

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