Jeremy Clarkson, the host of the popular BBC motoring show Top Gear, has come under fire for making a "racist" joke about black comedian Lenny Henry.
Clarkson, not renowned for his political correctness, complained in his Saturday morning newspaper that that an energy-saving mode on his new TV made the screen so dark 'every programme looks like it is being presented by Lenny Henry in a cave.'
His remark has attracted the fury of many people, including British soldier Johnson Beharry. Grenada-born Beharry, who won a Victoria Cross fighting for Britain in Iraq, said the remark wasn't funny.
And race campaigner Lee Jasper branded 51-year-old Clarkson's comment 'gratuitous' and claimed it could lead to playground taunts and racist insults in the street.
This isn't the first time Clarkson has caused controversy with his jokes, most of which he says on Top Gear.
Korean car giant Hyundai complained after Clarkson's 'bigoted and racist' claim that company staff had 'eaten dog.'
Earlier this year Clarkson had to apologise to the Mexican ambassador after branding its citizens 'lazy.'
And in 2009 Clarkson called the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who lost the sight in one eye during an accident whilst playing rugby in 1967, a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot.'
Top Gear is one of Britain's most successful TV exports, attracting 350 million viewers worldwide.
Jeremy Clarkson under fire after making 'racist joke' about comic Lenny Henry
By Daily Mail Reporter
3rd July 2011
Daily Mail
Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has sparked a race row after an 'offensive' joke about comic Lenny Henry being black.
The BBC presenter complained that an energy-saving mode on his new TV made the screen so dark 'every programme looks like it is being presented by Lenny Henry in a cave.'
Clarkson was accused of 'crossing the line' with the jibe in his Saturday newspaper column.
Controversy: Top gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson and comic Lenny Henry
Grenada-born Johnson Beharry, who won a Victoria Cross fighting for Britain in Iraq, said the remark wasn't funny.
Criticism: VC hero Johnson Beharry
He told the People newspaper: 'People think it's acceptable to poke fun at people without thinking about the consequences.
'Clarkson needs to be stopped from saying things like this. They legitimise racism.'
Race campaigner Lee Jasper branded 51-year-old Clarkson's comment 'gratuitous' and claimed it could lead to playground taunts and racist insults in the street.
He added: 'People think, "Well, if Clarkson can have a joke at the expense of someone's race then so can I."'
Jeremy Clarkson (centre) with fellow Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond (left) and James May
Labour MP Dennis McShane said the remark was 'unpleasant and offensive.'
This isn't the first time Clarkson has caused controversy with his 'jokes'. In the past he has said that anyone who is offended by him lacks a sense of humour.
Korean car giant Hyundai complained after Clarkson's 'bigoted and racist' claim that company staff had 'eaten dog.'
He caused another furore by doing mini Nazi salutes as he talked about the German design of a new Mini.
Clarkson had to apologise to the Mexican ambassador after branding its citizens 'lazy.'
While in Australia in February, 2009, Clarkson made disparaging remarks aimed at Prime Minister Gordon Brown, calling him a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot.'
VC hero hits back at Jeremy Clarkson over his 'racist joke' about comic Lenny Henry | Mail Online
Clarkson, not renowned for his political correctness, complained in his Saturday morning newspaper that that an energy-saving mode on his new TV made the screen so dark 'every programme looks like it is being presented by Lenny Henry in a cave.'
His remark has attracted the fury of many people, including British soldier Johnson Beharry. Grenada-born Beharry, who won a Victoria Cross fighting for Britain in Iraq, said the remark wasn't funny.
And race campaigner Lee Jasper branded 51-year-old Clarkson's comment 'gratuitous' and claimed it could lead to playground taunts and racist insults in the street.
This isn't the first time Clarkson has caused controversy with his jokes, most of which he says on Top Gear.
Korean car giant Hyundai complained after Clarkson's 'bigoted and racist' claim that company staff had 'eaten dog.'
Earlier this year Clarkson had to apologise to the Mexican ambassador after branding its citizens 'lazy.'
And in 2009 Clarkson called the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who lost the sight in one eye during an accident whilst playing rugby in 1967, a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot.'
Top Gear is one of Britain's most successful TV exports, attracting 350 million viewers worldwide.
Jeremy Clarkson under fire after making 'racist joke' about comic Lenny Henry
By Daily Mail Reporter
3rd July 2011
Daily Mail
Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has sparked a race row after an 'offensive' joke about comic Lenny Henry being black.
The BBC presenter complained that an energy-saving mode on his new TV made the screen so dark 'every programme looks like it is being presented by Lenny Henry in a cave.'
Clarkson was accused of 'crossing the line' with the jibe in his Saturday newspaper column.
Controversy: Top gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson and comic Lenny Henry
Grenada-born Johnson Beharry, who won a Victoria Cross fighting for Britain in Iraq, said the remark wasn't funny.
Criticism: VC hero Johnson Beharry
He told the People newspaper: 'People think it's acceptable to poke fun at people without thinking about the consequences.
'Clarkson needs to be stopped from saying things like this. They legitimise racism.'
Race campaigner Lee Jasper branded 51-year-old Clarkson's comment 'gratuitous' and claimed it could lead to playground taunts and racist insults in the street.
He added: 'People think, "Well, if Clarkson can have a joke at the expense of someone's race then so can I."'
Jeremy Clarkson (centre) with fellow Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond (left) and James May
Labour MP Dennis McShane said the remark was 'unpleasant and offensive.'
This isn't the first time Clarkson has caused controversy with his 'jokes'. In the past he has said that anyone who is offended by him lacks a sense of humour.
Korean car giant Hyundai complained after Clarkson's 'bigoted and racist' claim that company staff had 'eaten dog.'
He caused another furore by doing mini Nazi salutes as he talked about the German design of a new Mini.
Clarkson had to apologise to the Mexican ambassador after branding its citizens 'lazy.'
While in Australia in February, 2009, Clarkson made disparaging remarks aimed at Prime Minister Gordon Brown, calling him a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot.'
VC hero hits back at Jeremy Clarkson over his 'racist joke' about comic Lenny Henry | Mail Online
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