Top Gear star at centre of complaints for talking about underwear

The BBC received some complaints after Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson told viewers that he saw a woman in a burka wearing racy underwear beneath her gown.

Clarkson had been talking with co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May about distractions while driving. They were saying that when a girl walks past wearing summer clothing it is impossible not to look. Hammond had suggested that there might be a case for the burka in this situation, because then that problem wouldn’t exist. “No, no, no,” Clarkson had said. “Honestly, the burka doesn't work. I was in a cab in Piccadilly the other day when a woman in a full burka crossing the road in front of me tripped over the pavement, went head over heels and up it came, red g-string and stockings. I promise that happened. The taxi driver will back me up on that.” When the other men expressed disbelief he promised that it had happened. More than six million people were watching the show on Sunday, July 25, which included guest appearances by Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. According to The Daily Mail, by Monday morning some viewers had complained and singer Lily Allen had called the comment 'distasteful' on her Twitter site. The Muslim Women's Network UK criticised Top Gear for joking about using the burka as a way of preventing drivers from being distracted by pedestrians. Most people seem to have no problem with Clarkson telling people a story if that is what he saw. One person, identified as Chris, left a comment after The Daily Mail article saying: “its a joke!!! the other 5 million got it! people need to get a grip! I saw a woman in full burka in anne summers the other day... guess i better not mention that to anyone!” Clarkson, 50, has stirred up controversy in the past. In 2008, his comments drew more than 300 complaints when he mocked lorry drivers by saying they cared only about fuel prices and killing prostitutes. This was a reference to Suffolk Strangler Steven Wright and Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe. The Royal National Institute of Blind People, and Scottish politicians, were upset with him last year after he called Gordon Brown a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot'.