Jeremy Clarkson has admitted that he is 'horrified to have caused so much hurt' after facing severe backlash for his comments made in a newspaper column about how much he 'hated' Meghan Markle.
The ex-Top Gear frontman, 62, announced that he will 'be more careful in future' after a piece published in The Sun attracted widespread critique from various high-profile figures, as well as his own daughter.
In the column, Clarkson wrote: "I hate her. Not like I hate Nicola Sturgeon or Rose West. I hate her on a cellular level."
Read more: Jeremy Clarkson slammed for saying he wants excrement thrown at Meghan Markle in 'horrifying' rant
He continued: "At night, I'm unable to sleep as I lie there, grinding my teeth and dreaming of the day when she is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, 'Shame!' and throw lumps of excrement at her."
The PA News Agency reports that the Independent Press Standards Agency (IPSO) has received in excess of 6,000 complaints with regards to the article, nearly half the total number of complaints received outright from the entirety of 2021.
Taking to Twitter today to clear the air, Jeremy, wrote: "Oh dear. I’ve rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people.
“I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future.”
Clarkson's explosive article followed on from the recent Netflix broadcast of Harry and Meghan's exposee into the Royal Family, and their alleged mistreatment. Those criticising Clarkson's wording included Nicola Sturgeon, Carol Vorderman, Sir Philip Pullman, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
A spokesperson for Ipso told the PA news agency that the regulator had received over 6,000 complaints about Clarkson’s article as of midday on Monday, and that the number was subject to change. He added that the complaints were were being assessed in accordance with its standard procedure.
Ipso received a total of 14,355 complaints in 2021, the spokesman added.
Speaking to broadcasters on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said Clarkson’s comments about the duchess were 'beyond the pale'. She said: "I think what he said about Meghan Markle was deeply misogynist and just downright awful and horrible.
“I have to say, taking a step back from it, my overwhelming emotion about guys like Jeremy Clarkson is pity. I mean, what is it that makes somebody so distorted by hate that they end up writing these things?
“I think that possibly gives an insight into Jeremy Clarkson and the kind of person he is. So maybe he just needs to take a step back from things and just think about life a bit more.”
Clarkson’s daughter, Emily Clarkson, in an online post, added that she was 'against everything' her dad had wrote. In an Instagram story, she penned: "My views are and have always been clear when it comes to misogyny, bullying and the treatment of women by the media.
“I want to make it very clear that I stand against everything that my dad wrote about Meghan Markle and I remain standing in support of those that are targeted with online hatred.”
Former Countdown host Vorderman also added that Clarkson’s comments were unacceptable 'in any circumstance'. She said: "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’.”
Mr Khan meanwhile, said Clarkson’s remarks were 'dangerous and inexcusable', writing: "As Jeremy Clarkson should well know – words have consequences. The words in his piece are no joke – they’re dangerous and inexcusable.
“We are in an epidemic of violence against women and girls and men with powerful voices must do better than this.”
Amazon, ITV and The Sun have all been approached for comment. Harry and Meghan’s Archewell foundation has also been approached for comment over the remarks.
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