Ofcom is to investigate Jeremy Clarkson‘s appearance on BBC1′s The One Show, after receiving almost 800 complaints that it broke broadcasting rules on taste and decency.
The Top Gear presenter provoked viewer outrage with a quip that striking public sector workers should be “executed in front of their families”.
He provoked further controversy by describing people who kill themselves at railway stations as causing “immense” disruption to commuters.
The media regulator has received 763 complaints about Clarkson’s appearance on the show, making it the third most-complained about TV show this year, prompting an investigation.
“Ofcom has taken the decision to investigate comments made by Jeremy Clarkson on BBC1′s The One Show,” said an Ofcom spokesman. “We will make the outcome of the investigation known in due course.”
Ofcom is looking into whether Clarkson’s comments are in breach of broadcasting code 2.3 relating to generally accepted standards.
The rule says broadcasters must ensure material that may cause offence is “justified by the context”.
The BBC has received almost 32,000 complaints about Clarkson’s appearance on The One Show.
Last week the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, told a committee of MPs he had no intention of sacking Clarkson, pointing to the presenter’s fanbase and commercial success of the Top Gear franchise.
The BBC Trust chairman, Lord Patten, said Clarkson is one of the UK’s leading “cultural” exports.
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