MOSCOW, October 3 (RIA Novosti) - The cast and crew of popular British TV Show Top Gear had to abandon their cars at the roadside and flee Argentina after they were attacked with stones by an angry crowd that saw Jeremy Clarkson’s number plate as a provocation referring to the Falklands war, the Guardian reported Friday.
Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson drove through the streets of Argentina in a Porsche with the number plate H982FKL, which many people thought referred to the 1982 Falklands conflict .
The BBC, which broadcasts the show, has denied any intended reference, saying that the car was bought by a member of the production team and it was just a coincidence.
It is not the first time that Jeremy Clarkson has attracted negative attention for his controversial behavior.
Earlier this year, the BBC issued a warning to Clarkson, who has been then criticized for using the N-word during unbroadcast footage, however he later posted an apology on his Twitter, saying he did everything possible to ensure this video was not made public.
"I've been told by the BBC that if I make one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time, I will be sacked,” Clarkson wrote in his weekly column in the Sun newspaper following the incident.
Clarkson has presented the Top Gear motoring television show from 1988 until 2000, and then again from October 2002 until now in the show’s updated format. During this time, his comments and actions have been repeatedly criticized by viewers, car companies and even several national governments. However, the show remains very popular across the globe and Clarkson is loved by many for not being afraid to express his honest personal opinions.
The Falklands war refers to a ten-week-long war between the United Kingdom and Argentina over two British overseas territories in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It began in April 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland islands in an attempt to establish sovereignty. The war, which claimed over 900 lives ended on June 14, 1982 and resulted in British victory.
