Jeremy Clarkson has faced a backlash over 'vile' comments about his dream of Meghan Markle being subjected to vile abuse. The Top Gear host, 62, left many readers "horrified" and "gobsmacked" as he shared his dislike of the Duchess and described his vision of her being exposed to public humiliation in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary.
The programme has proved divisive with viewers as the pair gave fresh insight into their departure from royal family life, as reported by Chronicle Live. Writing in The Sun, Clarkson said: "I hate her. Not like I hate Nicola Sturgeon or Rose West. I hate her on a cellular level."
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."
Read more: Harry and Meghan want 'royal summit and apology for damage they've suffered'
Clarkson claimed that "everyone who's my age thinks the same way" about Meghan Markle. Despite this assertion, his remarks quickly sparked controversy, with angered readers and celebs taking to social media to voice their disgust.
Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman responded to the comments on Twitter, writing: "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."
Dr Jessica Taylor, founder of charity VictimFocus, said: "I am absolutely horrified by this comment about Meghan Markle by Jeremy Clarkson. The hatred. The obsession. The mention of her naked. This proves everything M&H are saying. Absolutely jaw-dropping, terrifying misogyny & abuse here from Clarkson."
Comedian Dom Joly also added: "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?"
Meanwhile, activist Nimco Ali said of the remarks: "A young black woman opens up about her struggle with suicidal thoughts as a result of the abuse she got from the media and this is how some men in the media react. This is absolutely horrific."
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