Jeremy Clarkson reportedly might receive a 'lifeline' from ITV bosses and keep his role as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
This comes after severe public anger over comments the 66-year-old made about Meghan Markle, where he expressed a desire to see her publicly shamed while being paraded through British towns. The column received over 25,100 complaints, becoming Ipso’s most-complained about article. Clarkson later apologised for the article, acknowledging his language as ‘disgraceful’ and expressing deep regret.
Following the controversy, there were claims last year that Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? had been cancelled However, a source revealed that Clarkson is being given another chance.An insider suggested that Clarkson will continue as the presenter as the production company behind the quiz show, Stellify, is expected to continue making more episodes. According to a source, ‘Clarkson made a big mistake with his column, but unusually for him, he did apologise wholeheartedly afterwards.‘This helped him compared to someone like Piers Morgan who refused to make a U-turn on his comments about Meghan on GMB.’
Clarkson’s comment about Meghan led to widespread outrage and became Ipso’s most-complained about article. Piers Morgan resigned from GMB after a dispute about Meghan.Morgan left Good Morning Britain in March 2021,
leaving the studio after a heated argument about Meghan with weather presenter Alex Beresford.
The insider continued to the publication: ‘ITV have been playing a waiting game to see how things look and how people have been reacting to new episodes going out this year of Millionaire with Clarkson. The Mirror‘There has been no huge reaction and so a decision has been made to continue with him in the chair. It is a second chance for Clarkson but if he were to overstep the mark again it’s unlikely there will be a third chance.’
According to an ITV spokesperson, more brand new episodes of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire will air on ITV later this year.
He said again that they will make a decision at the end of the 8/9 episodes. Clarkson initially presented the show in 2018, after taking over from Chris Tarrant.
In Clarkson’s original article about Meghan, which was later removed with The Sun apologising and expressing regret, he mentioned that he intensely disliked the Duchess of Sussex.
‘At night, I’m unable to sleep as I lie there, clenching my teeth and fantasizing about the day when she is forced to walk nude through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, “Shame!” and throw pieces of waste at her,’ he wrote at the time.
Clarkson later said sorry for his dreadful comments (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
After facing widespread criticism, the Clarkson’s Farm star stated that he
sent an email to Markle and Prince Harry to say sorry
‘I really am sorry. All the way from the balls of my feet to the follicles on my head. This is me admitting my mistake. Its a mea culpa with bells on,’ he said in his lengthy statement.
He also added: ‘I was embarrassed and so was everyone else. My phone rang nonstop. Very close friends were furious. Even my own daughter took to Instagram to denounce me.’
In response,
a spokesperson for
the Duke and Duchess mentioned
They continued: ‘While a new public apology has been issued today by Mr Clarkson, what remains to be addressed is his long standing pattern of writing articles that spread hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories, and misogyny.’ Metro.co.uk has reached out to ITV and Stellify for comment. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is shown on ITV and can be watched on ITVX.
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He has reportedly been given a ‘lifeline’. a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said: ‘On December 25, 2022, Mr Clarkson wrote solely to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. The contents of this correspondence were marked Private and Confidential.’
They continued: ‘While a new public apology has been issued today by Mr Clarkson, what remains to be addressed is his long standing pattern of writing articles that spread hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories, and misogyny.’
Metro.co.uk has approached ITV and Stellify for comment.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? airs on ITV and is available to watch on ITVX.
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