Top Gear Controversies - Accusations of Homophobia

Accusations of Homophobia

In December 2006, the BBC upheld complaints from four viewers after comments made by Jeremy Clarkson were considered to be homophobic references, had the potential to offend and should not have been broadcast. The complaints regarded comments made by Clarkson in the seventh episode of series six, in which Clarkson described the Daihatsu Copen as "a bit gay". He later described the vehicle as "ginger beer", taken to be rhyming slang for the term "queer". The BBC said there was "no editorial purpose" for the remarks and the "Top Gear team had been reminded of the importance of avoiding such comments about sexual orientation."

In December 2009, it was reported that a gay couple had been denied tickets to see the show being filmed. A BBC spokesperson said, "We do not – absolutely do not – discriminate against same sex couples... the whole implication that Top Gear is in any way homophobic is completely wrong."

Applause Store, a company that arranges studio audiences for the filming of the show does, however, insist "that groups of people coming to the recordings have a roughly 50/50 male/female split. This is so we don't end up with a bunch of ugly male car geeks ruining everyone's Sunday night!"