Carol Vorderman, Kathy Burke and John Bishop are among the stars who have publicly condemned Jeremy Clarkson over “vile” remarks made by the former Top Gear presenter about Meghan Markle in a newspaper column.
The 62-year-old said he “hated” the Duchess of Sussex and “dreamt of the day when crowds throw lumps of excrement at her” in a column in The Sun, which was published on Saturday.
He also claimed that “everyone who’s my age thinks the same way”.
His comments come just days after the final three episodes of Prince Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docuseries arrived on the streaming platform.
Following the publication of the hate-filled column, Absolutely Fabulous star Kathy Burke labelled the presenter a “colossal c***”.
“Watched the rest of #HarryandMeganNetflix. Still think they’re pretty great and I love their relationship with Meghan’s gorgeous mum, Doria,” Kathy tweeted.
“Wishing them continued happiness and people like that colossal c*** Clarkson continued pain with the thought of it,” she added.
Watched the rest of #HarryandMeganNetflix Still think they’re pretty great and I love their relationship with Meghan’s gorgeous Mum, Doria. Wishing them continued happiness and people like that colossal cunt, Clarkson continued pain with the thought of it.
— Kath ??????? (@KathyBurke) December 18, 2022
Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman also blasted Clarkson’s comments, insisting that “we absolutely do not think the same”.
“NO Jeremy Clarkson. Not on any level, in any circumstance, is it ok to write this stuff about any woman & absolutely NO to ‘everyone who’s my age thinks the same’,” Carol tweeted.
“No no no. We absolutely do NOT think the same.
“Listen to the noise, Jeremy. The crowds are chanting “shame on YOU”.
NO Jeremy Clarkson. Not on any level, in any circumstance, is it ok to write this stuff about any woman & absolutely NO to "everyone who's my age thinks the same"
No no no. We absolutely do NOT think the same.
Listen to the noise Jeremy. The crowds are chanting "shame on YOU" pic.twitter.com/OzCt9lHG16
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) December 18, 2022
Comedian and actor John Bishop called out Clarkson’s “blatant appeal to incite humiliation and violence on a woman” following the publication of the column on Saturday.
“WTF is this?? “ the comedian and actor tweeted.
“I don’t care who you are or who you work for you simply can not write things like this.
“It is a blatant appeal to incite humiliation and violence on a woman. Some have excused it as dark humour. There is no joke here@JeremyClarkson and no excuse.”
WTF is this ??
I don't care who you are or who you work for you simply can not write things like this. It is a blatant appeal to incite humiliation and violence on a woman. Some have excused it as dark humour. There is mo joke here @JeremyClarkson and no excuse. https://t.co/ewU8bnykhj
— John Bishop (@JohnBishop100) December 18, 2022
Comedian Dom Jolly said he was “gobsmacked” at the “utterly vile and disgusting comments written about Meghan Markle by Jeremy Clarkson in the Sun.”
Literally gobsmacked at the utterly vile and disgusting comments written about Meghan Markle by Jeremy Clarkson in the Sun. What an utter piece of trash he is…what is it with these type of men that triggers them so? pic.twitter.com/iLpzIilTlm
— Dom Joly (@domjoly) December 18, 2022
“What an utter piece of trash he is… what is it with these type of men that triggers them so?” he added.
TV and radio presenter Edith Bowman labelled Clarkson a “vile misogynist” in a tweet shared on Sunday.
“Also how is someone able to print such abusive comments in an actual newspaper,” Edith added.
Thanks for sharing @domjoly .. what a vile misogynist @JeremyClarkson is but also how is someone able to print such abusive comments in an actual newspaper.. https://t.co/C0aaUgrjK2
— edith bowman (@edibow) December 18, 2022
Jacqui Smith MP also addressed The Grand Tour presenter directly on Twitter over his remarks.
“I’m your age @JeremyClarkson and I couldn’t disagree more with you,” the MP wrote.
Many other public figures were united in their condemnation of Clarkson on social media...
A woman and her mother talk about the pain she suffered and her suicidal thoughts. One of the country’s biggest tabloids decides to publish this in response. Thinking of every woman or man who are in pain right now. Please remember we have got you. https://t.co/UFSmvkAKRb
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) December 17, 2022
Combo of misogynoir, sexism & racism against #MeghanMarkIe on public display is sick
Likes of Jeremy Clarkson, Piers Morgan et al can spew their filth with impunity against her, be rewarded with media platforms & party with Queen Camilla. Why you ask?
Welcome to White Privilege
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) December 17, 2022
This type of rhetoric is exactly what Meghan was highlighting in the documentary. Whatever opinion you have of Meghan, violence and hate against women is never acceptable. https://t.co/K2u1DA7hHY
— Marsha de Cordova MP (@MarshadeCordova) December 17, 2022
That Jeremy Clarkson can write things like that, and publish them unashamed, tells us all we need to know about the way Rupert Murdoch has poisoned and rotted our public life.
— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) December 18, 2022
HuffPost UK has contacted Clarkson’s reps for comment.
In the second and final batch of episodes of Harry & Meghan which debuted earlier this week, the couple claim that Harry was “blocked” from seeing his grandmother, the Queen, and that Prince William “screamed and shouted” at his brother after he announced his intension to move abroad with his wife.
Both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have so far remained silent over the claims made by the couple in the six-part series.