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THE BBC and truckers last night defended Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson after nearly 200 people complained at a gag he cracked on TV.

The outspoken presenter jokingly declared that lorry drivers cared only about fuel prices and “murdering prostitutes”.

The Beeb received 188 complaints after his comments — believed to refer to Suffolk Strangler Steven Wright and Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, both former truckers.

But yesterday real-life lorry drivers said they found the joke HILARIOUS — and agreed it was in no way malicious.

One of Britain’s biggest haulage firms, the Eddie Stobart Group, threw its weight behind Clarkson.

CEO Andrew Tinkler said: “They were just having a laugh. It’s the 21st century, let’s get our sense of humour in line.”

Sun columnist Clarkson, 48, spoke out as he was filmed driving a lorry for his BBC2 programme. He quipped: “This is a hard job. I’m not just saying that to win favour with lorry drivers. It’s a hard job.

“Change gear, change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That’s a lot of effort in a day.”

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it had been contacted by viewers.

A spokesman said: “Ofcom has received complaints regarding Top Gear. These are currently being assessed against the Broadcasting Code.”

But a BBC spokesman said: “The vast majority of Top Gear viewers have clear expectations of Jeremy Clarkson’s long-established and frequently provocative on-screen persona.

“This particular reference was used to comically exaggerate and make ridiculous an unfair urban myth about the world of lorry driving. It was not intended to cause offence.”

Trucker Nigel Folkard, 52, also backed Clarkson. Nigel, who pilots a 14-wheel big rig, said: “I found that show absolutely hilarious. There was no maliciousness in it whatsoever.

“What’s going on in this country? You can’t make a joke without people going crazy.”

The Sun

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