Clarkson’s column is the most complained about ever
The press watchdog is launching an investigation into Jeremy Clarkson’s column in The Sun about the Duchess of Sussex.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) said it had received more than 25,100 complaints about the December piece, in which he said he “hated” Meghan Markle on a “cellular level”.
We are investigating two group complaints concerning a column by Jeremy Clarkson in The Sun. We received more than 25,100 complaints about this column published in December 2022. Read more here: https://t.co/wIcmK0K4fK pic.twitter.com/LQNR9QEmni
— Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) (@IpsoNews) February 9, 2023
It became the most complained about article ever, and has threatened to end Clarkson’s TV career.
The former Top Gear host wrote that he was “dreaming of the day when [Meghan] is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while crowds chant, ‘Shame!’ and throw lumps of excrement at her” and said he disliked her more than murderer Rose West.
The tabloid later deleted the column at Clarkson’s request, after it became the most complained about article ever. Earlier this month the former Top Gear host issued an apology to Meghan and Harry, which they rejected.
Last week it was reported that a A Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? celebrity special was shelved after female stars refused to work with host Clarkson over the scandal.
While ITV is contractually required to go ahead with the show, there are reportedly “no further commissioning commitments”, meaning Clarkson, who has hosted the show since 2018, may not continue in the role.
A petition calling on ITV CEO Carolyn McCall for him to keep his job as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has now surpassed 62,000 signatures.
Amazon Prime Video has reportedly also parted ways with Clarkson.
According to Variety, the streaming service won’t be working with the TV personality beyond seasons of The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm that have already been commissioned. So, he may not be appearing in any new shows on Prime Video beyond 2024.
