BBC ordered Top Gear investigation after pile-up of offensive gaffes
The BBC has received findings from an internal investigation into motoring show Top Gear in an last-ditch bid to stem the controversy regularly perpetrated by its host Jeremy Clarkson.
Clarkson pretending he was asleep while calling James May gay
The probe, organised by Danny Cohen, BBC director of television, studied the show’s practices, in particular the attitude of background staff who perhaps felt too intimidated to speak out.
This follows two recent racism rows from Clarkson, who earlier this year admitted "if I make one more offensive remark I will be sacked".
During the recently broadcasted 21st season of Top Gear, the calamitous presenter landed himself in hot water after being recorded calling an Asian man a slope in the Burma special.
This was followed by news outlets getting their hands’ on cut footage from the show showing Clarkson saying the word ‘nigger’ while recanting an old nursery rhyme, in May.
Clarkson, who earns £12m per year, was reportedly saved by BBC director general Tony Hall when the broadcaster was considering disciplinary actions over the racist remarks.
The investigation, which the Guardian reports is a compromise between BBC executives, saw the broadcaster study the show in an attempt to stamp out offensive mistakes - like the time Clarkson posted, then removed, a tweet calling co-presenter James May gay.
As far back as 2011, 5000 viewers complained to the BBC when the controversial motorshow host said public sector workers should be "executed in front of their families" live on the One Show.
The findings from the investigation, which took place throughout June, have not been published.