Jeremy Clarkson: I didn't mean to use N-word - video
BBC warns Jeremy Clarkson as presenter explains apparent use of N-word while filming Top Gear
JEREMY CLARKSON has released a video statement in which he says he mumbled the N-word inadvertently while trying to obscure it during a recording of Top Gear.
"I did everything in my power to not use that word," he says. "I'm sitting here begging your forgiveness for the fact my efforts obviously weren't quite good enough."
Previously unseen footage obtained by the Daily Mirror and published yesterday appeared to show the presenter using the word while reciting a nursery rhyme as he tries to choose between two cars.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The Mirror hired a firm of audio forensic experts to analyse the Top Gear clip and they confirmed that the N-word was indeed used by Clarkson," the paper reports.
"An investigator – working for digital forensics company CY4OR – produced a transcript as part of the study. It stated Clarkson said the following: 'Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, catch a n***** by his toe, when he squeals, let him go, eeny, meeny, miny, moe'."
Clarkson, who now faces calls for his sacking, denied that he had intentionally used the N-word and said that he was "mortified" and "horrified" when he heard the recording.
"If you listened very carefully with the sound turned right up it did appear that I'd actually used the word I was trying to obscure," he said.
The presenter says he immediately emailed the Top Gear production office asking for the clip not to be used. According to his statement, the email read: "I didn't use the N-word here but I've just listened through my headphones and it sounds like I did. Is there another take we can use?"
The Guardian reports that the BBC has issued Clarkson with a warning about his future conduct.
"Jeremy Clarkson has set out the background to this regrettable episode," the corporation said. "We have made it absolutely clear to him the standards the BBC expects on air and off. We have left him in no doubt about how seriously we view this."
Jeremy Clarkson accused of using N-word on Top Gear
1 May
JEREMY CLARKSON has denied using the N-word in previously unseen Top Gear footage which was edited out of an episode broadcast in February last year.
It's the second time in recent weeks that Clarkson has been accused of using a racial slur. During a recent Top Gear special filmed in Thailand he appeared to refer to a Thai man as a "slope" – a derogatory term for Asians.
The Daily Mirror published the N-word claim after examining a recording of the incident passed to the paper after the programme had been edited. In the clip Clarkson is shown attempting to choose between two cars.
"The Mirror hired a firm of audio forensic experts to analyse the Top Gear clip and they confirmed that the N-word was indeed used by Clarkson," the paper says.
"An investigator – working for digital forensics company CY4OR – produced a transcript as part of the study. It stated Clarkson said the following: 'Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, catch a n***** by his toe, when he squeals, let him go, eeny, meeny, miny, moe'."
The presenter mumbles as he recites the rhyme, but in the broadcast version he clearly says "teacher" instead of the disputed N-word.
This morning Clarkson tweeted a denial of the Mirror's claims:
Amid calls for the presenter to be sacked, the BBC has launched an investigation, The Guardian reports.
"We've seen the story," a BBC spokesman told the paper. "The Mirror didn't approach us before publication. Clearly we will establish the facts before commenting."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The next place you'll find Starlink tech isn't a war zone — it's your airplane seat
Under the Radar Several major airlines are offering free in-flight Wi-Fi through the technology
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The fishy diplomacy causing tensions between Bangladesh and India
Under The Radar Exports of a 'sacred' fish were recently suspended during difficult relations for the two nations
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - October 6, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Sunday scaries, in-fighting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Grand Tour: One For The Road – a trip down memory lane
The Week Recommends Our 'gouty trio' bow out after 21 years together with banter, breakdowns, and efforts not to blub
By The Week Staff Published
-
Clarkson’s Farm season two: more ‘delicious’ rural comfort TV
The Week Recommends Endless mileage in Clarkson and Kaleb’s ‘odd-couple’ dynamic – and Gerald is ‘a gift from the sitcom gods’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listings
Speed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jeremy Clarkson ordered to shut his farm’s dining areas
Speed Read TV presenter thought he had found a ‘cunning loophole’ around planning permission
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
House of the Dragon: what to expect from the Game of Thrones prequel
Speed Read Ten-part series, set 200 years before GoT, will show the incestuous decline of Targaryen
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
One in 20 young Americans identify as trans or non-binary
Speed Read New research suggests that 44% of US adults know someone who is transgender
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Turner Prize 2022: a ‘vintage’ shortlist?
Speed Read All four artists look towards ‘growth, revival and reinvention’ in their work
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
What’s on TV this Christmas? The best holiday television
Speed Read From films and documentaries to musicals for all the family
By The Week Staff Published