Top Gear in a spin as Jeremy Clarkson insults 'convict' Australians
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Clarkson may have dented the reputation of Top Gear in Australia after saying to a group of photographers gathered in Sydney harbour: “You can take them out of England but you can’t take the convict out of them.”
Clarkson fired the comment at a group of paparazzi who were trying to get a shot of the Top Gear frontman as he walked to dinner at Otto restaurant with former girlfriend beautician Phillipa Sage.
A previously unidentified man who appeared to be among those dining with Clarkson then shouted at the assembled press pack: “You’re the reason we won’t come back to Australia!”
The man was later identified as James Cooke-Priest, CEO of Top Gear Live, a spin-off of the hit BBC show which claims on its website “creates LIVE events in the spirit of Top Gear all over the world.”
He told the crowd of press: “We don’t like paps. I can tell you’ve got your phones ready to film, we just want to have a quiet dinner.”
Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman was forced to make a statement this morning defending the show’s reputation, claiming he was “absolutely furious” by the comments.
He said: “I would like to address the matter of the comment made by a man in Sydney Harbour, stating that Top Gear would never be coming back to Australia.
“That comment was made by a halfwit who has absolutely nothing to do with the TV show, and nor is he a spokesman for Jeremy or any of the other presenters. He had no right to make any comment in relation to the show, and his remarks most certainly do not reflect our views in any way.”
Clarkson meanwhile appeared shaken up by the event, prompting him to forget what country he was in: “So I had a conversation last night about how I would never go back to Austria. And NOW look what’s happened,” he tweeted.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
The Top Gear presenter was in Sydney with James May to film a segment for the show at Sydney’s Easter Creek racetrack.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments