Top Gear: Apology after Clarkson and May use parking bays for disabled

THE Executive producer of Top Gear has apologised after the show’s presenters were filmed parking in disabled bays.

Andy Wilman responded to complaints following Sunday’s episode of the BBC2 show which showed James May and Jeremy Clarkson using the parking places.

Writing on the show’s blog, Mr Wilman said the programme makers had permission to use the bays for “a quiet spot to film in” and there were three other unused bays available all the time.

He added: “For those who are cross with us, please direct your anger towards myself and the production team, rather than at Jeremy and James. Both presenters expressed deep concern to the film crew and me about using the disabled bays prior to filming, because of the disrespectful impression it would convey.

“They only capitulated when we assured them the parking had been approved by the owner, and that the disabled bay markings would not appear on television. This was our fault, not theirs, and we unreservedly apologise to all the viewers we have upset as a consequence.”

Earlier this year, the BBC apologised to the Mexican ambassador over remarks made by Clarkson, May and co-host Richard Hammond.

In the episode, broadcast on January 30, Hammond joked that Mexican cars reflected national characteristics, saying they were “just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent oaf with a moustache, leaning against a fence asleep, looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat”.

May described Mexican food as “like sick with cheese on it” and Clarkson predicted they would not get any complaints about the show because “at the Mexican embassy, the ambassador is going to be sitting there with a remote control like this (snores). They won’t complain, it’s fine”.

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