I'm sorry. As a homosexual, even I can say that the Daihatsu Copen is a bit gay. I don't see why anyone should take offence - PC'ness has gone off the scale.

In this day and age, no-one (especially JC) ever means anything like that seriously - the poofs that take it seriously give the rest of us the whole 'old queen' lable.

By the way, I drive a 5.0 V8 Pontiac Firebird.

Chris Behan, Brighton,

I just had another thought...

That comment doesn't offend us queers, it offends homophobic straight men with Daihatsu Copen's.

Problem?

Chris Behan, Brighton,

Clarkson is brilliant and TG has to be the most entertaining show on TV. What give's Ofcom the right to decide what we can and can't watch.
Make Mr Clarkson PM, the UK could do with it. As a Brit living abroad, I'd move back if he was!
Keep telling it like it is Jezza and stuff these do-gooders who think they know what we want to hear and watch. And to those who don't like it, change the channel or turn the TV off!

Bex, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

is this not just political correctness gone mad. surely Mr Clarkson is renowned for his irrverence and now people are taking him seriously if it gives them a soap box to stand on. ridiculous.

simon, milton keynes, england

could this be the most representative comments thread ever of modern britain?

well in mr clarkson

Tomc, guildford,

It's about time the word GAY reverted to it's correct definition.

Epimethean, Reigate, Surrey

I have a question...
How come not one person complained about 'Jesus' - the guy he called up to look at the car - calling it gay?
Why is it only offensive when it's Clarkson doing it?

Alisdair, Auckland, New Zealand

I'm German and split my sides laughing at his had flapping. Bravo jeremy

Ben, Stuttgart, Germany

Actually, if you rotate Jeremys photograph 90 degrees clockwise, it looks like he's bent over the bonnet of a red car!

Derek Bell-Morris, Bayswater, West Australia

I'm gay and wasn't offended one bit by that spot on the show. Let's face it, the Copen IS really gay.

Matt, San Jose, California

Mr.Clarkson and everyone else on TV should forgoe expression of opinion in any shape or form. No one should be allowed to say anything which the government has not deemed Politically correct, we should all speak using only government approved terms from a phrasebook published annually (or should that be analy) by the government and the "New Labour Sentence Approval Committie (NLSAC)" who, though they decide what you say, maintain you do have "freedom of speech" and this is a "democracy". Anyone who expresses an opinion not listed in the compulsary "New Labour Sentence Approval Committie" phrasebook (£54.99 in WHSmiths) should be faced with an on the spot fine of £999.99 and compusary lessons in Political correctness. Just read the Gordon Brown Manefesto, which is not at all plagarised from George Orwell's 1984.

As this may or may not be an opinion, I may or may not now stop typing, and may or.... may not start counting the £999.99 ready for surrender to the "NLSAC"

Reuben Geldman, London, UK

A Car does not have a sexual orientation. Drivers on the other hand do. Clarkson, like most of us, knows people.
And as usual he is dead right - Gay Men of the Feminine Persuasion WILL buy this car. Young trendy type wanna-be Paris Hiltons with small Chihuahuas will too.

Nuff Said. Lets get rid of all this political correctness crap before our civic rights are taken away by it.

Martin La Grange, Auckland, New Zealand

Mr Clarkson should be allowed to say whatever he likes. Its a free country after all. Or is it?. Top Gear is a wonderful programme with views of cars that 'normal' people find funny and informative. Coming from Yorkshire myself, it's the norm to say what you think and Mr Clarkson has many many fans because of it. I read the Sunday Times and immediately read all his columns. If people don't like his opinion, then they should not read his articles.
The reason why Top Gear attracts 250m viewers is because all the presenters don't take life so serious and they have a good way of bringing relief to an otherwise boringly dull subject. How else can you describe a Daihatsu?
I only wish that our government were a bit more truthful and the country would be a better place.
Get off his back and let him speak his mind. People love him for it.
Don't change Jeremy.

Andrew , Bradford, Yorkshire

In the past week, I've seen an old Ford Capri which is a bit Essex and a Porsche Cayenne which is a bit Hampstead.

It it politically incorrect to say that a Rover 75 is generally regarded to be an old man's car?

What about M3s driven by yuppies? Round here, all the chavs drive Corsas and Saxos.

Among the MANY things which Ofcom fail to do is to recognise that cars fit stereotypes and vice-versa.

People tell me that my yellow Fiat Seicento is gay, but what it gets up to in the garage at night is none of my business.

Neil Macmillan, Northampton,

As a viewer from the US who "buys" all content online, I'd be happy to subscribe to TG-TV $20US a month, heck I pay that for the Office on iTunes. But I have a Mini GP, A3, and just ordered a new Smart, and would love a 3 door 135D, or a Golf GTI with the 170bhb diesel, or a golf sportwagen with that motor.

We've got 2 tracks in Vegas, a great road course and big Oval with a road track in it, lots of production capacity for entertainment. And Jezza would have 50mill people from around the globe to give him things to talk about.

As a bonus, he can make fun of all the American cars whenever he wants, like the new Ford Harley Davidson truck with the motor of the GT, that's what we need 500BHP truck that gets 6 MGP when gas costs $4/for one of our puny gallons. Heck, if you take out SABMiller and Budweiser, the US makes the best beer in the world too, but Bud Light still lowers the average by about a billion points, ugh. Jezza just can't go to Alabama again.

Rick Sizemore, Las Vegas, Nevada / USA

I have many friends who are gay. They would not be offended by this. The more effeminate ones frequently refer to themselves as queens, queers, poofs. The vast majority are not going to be offended. I imagine only the "Mary Whitehouse" types would be, but they exist in all sexualities and can be offended by anything seen on television.

James, London, UK

no doubt the top gear team will now present us with a special one off gay edition of top gear in the new series that will be tottaly hilarious and then banned by ofcom...Top Gayer anyone ?

i guess that from now on Clarkson will have to instead call the Daihatsu Copen a bit James May.

Tom, Northumberland, UK

You know what the funniest thing about this is? Clarkson was getting told off for making 'offensive' comments about homosexuals, but the point was to get a dig in at the car - I haven't heard one complaint from Daihatsu.

Gemma, Belfast,

I'm Young, Gay...and love Jermey Clarkson!

He is one of the best things on the box, and his book on everything he hates is one of the funniest and honest ditties I have read in a long time. We all insult each other daily, and we all know better...but do we really need yet ANOTHER moral-cop telling us off for it? No. Now, whilst I go and insult some fat people, perhaps we can leave JC alone. (p.s. loads of us Queers love him!)

Andy Euan, Glasgow, Britain

As a gay man I have to say I don't find it at all offensive. After all some of the most respected artists and designers have been " a bit gay"!

Alan , London, UK

Ofcom, without democratic authority, want to prevent free speech. Free speech is one of the pillars of a democracy; perhaps the UK is now an elected dictatorship! As Voltaire advised freedom of thought requires free speech, Ofcom either by design or intent are trying to control not only what is said but also what is thought.

Brian Edmonds, Farnham , UK

Here's a thought . . . . why don't all the hyper sensitive types, who find Jeremy Clarkson's comments offensive, watch Heartbeat instead ?

Chris Long, Thirsk, England

Clarkson for P.M. Hear Hear!! The Copen "a bit gay"? most certainly.
Unlike Clarkson i cannot be censured by any Government Quango so there...Ha Ha!!

ANDREW, HACKNEY, LONDON

The Renault Clio is a bit gay, and after a TV programme I found a little revolting, Jeeps are definitely ginger beer.

So sue me.

JC's an amusing chap, and if he wants to use those terms that's his business.

Joe, Manchester,

I can't understand why they are galled "gay" while in fact, they lack the slightest sense of humour. Keep on, Mr. Clarkson!

Juan, Granada, Spain

Talk about a bit gay.! First we had the endless mentionitis when there was rarely an article by Clarkson or Gill not mentioning the other. Then the adolescent fumblings on Grumpy old men. Culminating in the full on texting of pictures of genitalia.

Your writings are individually brilliant but please give us a break from this.

bob bowden, daventry, england

The daihatsu Copen is a bit gay though. Clarkson and I aren't alone in our opinion either.

Scott, Toronto, Canada

Jeremy and his opinions, make life (and some cars) interesting. People like Ofcom and their opinions, make life dull and tasteless. Opinions are unique to all of us, Jeremy is paid to share his opinions publicly and I, for one, will pay to hear them. Keep it up Jeremy !! We need spice - even if it has a "ginger" flavour - Give me chilli over oatmeal anyday !I second the motion - "Clarkson for PM" !!

Owen, Cape Town,

JC should be recognised for his incredible capacity to make cars interesting with a sense of humour that is unsurpassed. Ofcom are PC idiots. So the car is gay? If that's his opinion so be it. Why do we always assume that policing language polices behaviour and attitudes. It does't. People still think and talk in private. PC does have its plusses but this is idiocy.

Stew, Cambridge,

Comments like his would normally be laughed off or basically fade away un-noticed ... but no - a Group of people decide that they will make issue and force to public attention. It does them no good and fuels the very type of people that most anti-discrimination legislation is designed to control.
The sooner common-sense and reasonable levels of PC are used - the better.
And yes Clarkson for Prime Minister !

NCL, Waterlooville, UK

A GAY CAR FANTASTIC IDEA .
a car that washes itself where can I buy one.

george william taylor, hull, uk

So let's get this straight. (Or can't I say that, is it offensive to non-ginger-beers?)
A TV personality on a programme about cars, who provides entertainment by his humour associated with the characteristics of said cars, describes a car by infering it would suit one group of people more than another.

For crying out loud, isn't this what he's supposed to be doing? Has Ofcom gone completely mad?

James, London, UK

Clarkson for Prime Minister!

simon mawdsley, london,

Have you noticed how it's totally acceptable for gay comedins to make derogatory comments about gay behaviour but totally unacceptable for straight people to do so!
I bet if Graham Norton had made the comment everyone would laugh it up.

Stephen Miles, London,

Can I just ask, as a quick "straw poll" - who was ACTUALLY offended? Answers on the back of a post card to Offcom please.

Jan, Hamburg,

Stop taking life so seriously and once in a while laugh at a joke....Otherwise we british run the risk of becoming boring....Like the Germans!!!

Dale Drake, Salisbury, UK

Ofcom is very good at baring its gums when pursuing minor peccadilloes, but (even more) ineffectual when it comes to curbing abuses perpetrated by the telecoms industry itself. Political correctness is what public 'servants' engage in when 'thinking outside the box'; it beats working.

Roland, London,

I do find Clarkson comments comedic, but I can see a bigger issue wrapped up within it. I see that the UK's gay population is making a marked stance against all intolerance. This is a PR machine, just as it is here in the states. PR is useful for minority populations, let them strike out have their say and it'll all go away.

As for a reprimand for Clarkson, let him say what he will say I love that we can all disagree. This is what makes us Human. Plus being gay, I can be the butt of the joke. I know I throw out jokes about breeders. Plus I've heard far worse from Monty Python from 30yrs ago. Get over it already.

Joe, New York, NY, USA

"So, dear British gay and lesbians, let a German tell you to laugh about yourselves. "

My partner is a German lesbian. I kid you not. And she's nicer than any Brit I've ever met (but I'm biased, of course). And yes, she does laugh, especially when she totally fails to pronounce something. She also makes fun of lederhosen (but that's because she's from northern Germany).

The only hassle we've had is about being lesbian, though, never about being German.

M.M., Manchester, UK

Another Nick in Leeds, Leeds - I invite you to pinpoint precisely where the offence was. Your comment here talks about discrimination etc, but you don't actually state exactly what was offensive what he said. I am still waiting for anyone, including you and Ofcom to actually state what was offensive in what he said and what is the measurement against which we can establish the act of "causing offence".

Laura Roberts, London, UK

At what point are people going to get of their soap boxes over the "rights of individuals" where comedy is involved. In reality how many people were offended by the comment??? Think of the viewing and reading figures for Top Gear. The percentage of people who are offended by comments Clarkson makes is insignificant. If you are offended by what someone says or writes down, don't view or read it again. What ever happened to freedom of speech? Comedy should be treated as such and therefore not taken to heart... In the words of Ray Winston on a recent advert "Nanny Culture" Indeed we have become one.

Adrian Friggens, Manchester, Greater Manchester

To be offended by Jeremy's comment is pretty gay in itself.

Doug Bates, St. Albans,

Does anyone get the feeling that due to the downturn of interest in religion, "Political Correctness" is just another way of imposing control on the "masses" by the power hungry?

How is this different to the Taleban?

MI, Manchester, UK

I wonder how many women would have complained if clarkson had said the car was "a bit girly" instead? I suspect they'd have been too busy laughing at his pot belly and bad hair. except they will all have been watching heartbeat instead (along with all the gay hairdresser types).

jem, london, uk

Many years ago in Australia we had a national govt that pandered to the politically correct mind police. No person on the media especially the ABC that bastion of political bias would dare breathe a potencially offensive word near a mike. Offensensitivity ruled.
Then as I was listening to the radio one day I heard that the govt had changed and an almost audible sigh of relief swept across the country. Even the ABC loosened up as the shackles of PCness were shaken off. That was 11 years ago.

I hope to high heaven we dont head back to the dark old days and plumb the depths of oppression and fear like the UK (written with tongue in cheek)

Steve, Perth, Australia

At the time he said it, everyone laughed! Clearly he said it to be funny, not to be nasty. When people are offended on other people's behalf it drives me mad, and I bet you the head of Ofcom IS NOT gay!

Nick Butcher, Hook,

Once again, Political correctness gone mad.

I can't see what could have been insulting about those comments. And yes, I'm gay! :P

A. C., Telford, Shropshire

Perhaps he should have said "Its a hairdresser's car" which conveys almost the same meaning! I usually ask, if they have cut me up or etc "Does your wife know your driving her car?"

John Wood, London,

No fan of JC, but I think I can recognise a moral issue from a hole in the ground, or indeed anywhere. Market researchers and those trying to target advertising are aware that certain cars appeal to certain types of potential customers. And a niche market is a niche market
The Top 10 cars appealing to the gay persuasion being
Jeep Wrangler
Subaru Outback
Jeep Grand Cherokee
BMW X5
BMW 3-Series
Saab 93
Mazda Miata
Ford Mustang
Ford Ranger
VW New Beetle
But one assumes it varies by country.
I would have included the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Have to admit, I’ve gone right off the Subaru Outback, but it is very subjective.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano

This has nothing to do with 'political correctness' which has turned into a handy cure-all meaningless phrase to describe anything we don't like. It has more to do with insecurity on the part of Stonewall or anyone who feels offended by Clarkson's remarks. Being openly gay in Britain is a relatively new phenomenon and so those affected feel under the spotlight, sensitive to being treated with the respect they feel they deserve - i:e positively at all times. But Clarkson was describing a car, in this instance, not a person, and the phrase was only derogatory according to one's perception of it, i:e how secure or insecure one feels. After all, one cannot be proud to be gay, yet also be ultra-sensitive to anything which might use the word in any inclusive and routine sense, which will be both negative and positive. Controlling what people say in a diverse society, unless it is clearly offensive and applies to a real person, is certainly not the way to win hearts and influence others.

Elaine Sihera, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

I am sick to death of the thought police censoring harmless comedy. Clarkson makes plenty of 'controversial' comments, but these are not intended to offend, simply to make people laugh. All the usual lefties who claim to be outraged are trying to prove their 'right-on' credentials by criticising Clarkson. Grow up whingers. Clarkson is a decent bloke with a sense of humour. Is that now a crime?

Mike Lea, Lancaster,

I'm not gay, but I'm German, which is, in this country (or to Clarkson), a similar shame. But I've got no qualms laughing about Clarkson, even if he points to my now very distant ancestors who instigated Europe's and the world's worst mass murders and the worst war yet. John Cleese was allowed to make fun of the Germans in pretty much the same fashion, and so was Charlie Chaplin.

So, dear British gay and lesbians, let a German tell you to laugh about yourselves. I'm actually sure most of you do already.

David, Edinburgh, Scotland

I can see the funny side of this but I can also see how people can find this offensive.

The funniest thing about this story is Jeremy's retort to the ruling!

Lee OSMAN, London, England

I find it hard to bellieve that this is what our once-great country has come to - the 'great and the good' expensively pontificating on the political correctness or otherwise of a joke.

John, East Sussex, UK

If that comment was done here in the US, this Clarkson guy would be in BIG trouble, but England is England, isn't it?

eddie, richmond, US

Ofcom were right there is no justification for this comment - equally any offence caused is so trivial that they should also rule that there is no justification for complaining about this comment.

I think that the complaint will actually cause more damage to peoples attitudes to homosexuals reinforcing the stereotype of them as being over-sensitive and vain than the original comment. No men bought the car before top gear mentioned it - and none have since - it was a nothing comment lets move on.

Adam, Bournemouth, Dorest

So, do I take it that all of you are saying that it would be fine to say it was a car for niggers? Would taking offence to that be stupid PC drivel? You're all totally ridiculous - and most of you can't even spell, leading to only one conclusion; the vast majority of the British public really are uneducated and ignorant... It's nothing to do with a loss of sense of humour; it's about our loss of respect for each other which is why political correctness was brought in; to try to protect people from dreadful discrimination of the minority that the majority thinks is perfectly acceptable. If we all had respect for each other, there would be no need to have PC policies but from all these comments there obviously really is a need

Another Nick in Leeds, Leeds,

Clarkson made the mistake of not being obvious enough and left room for interpretation.....he really should have said....

"A bit gay, yes,...... very sausage jockey!"

but then the troglidites at Ofcom would have had him shot at dawn with rifles sporting only straight barrels in case further offence was commited.

Am I allowed to use the word "Ofcom" in case I offend other moronic creeps?

Jack, cardiff, Wales

I have to say I agree with many comments above...
....Clarkson would get my vote for PM

Whilst stuck on a broken down car ferry last summer, the JC book we bought in the onboard shop was a godsend, sat up on deck laughing our heads off at his exploits - in particular, the story of him trying to remove his children’s dead 'pet' donkey!!!!
HE SAYS IT AS IT IS and that's why he's so good
Jeremy if you’re reading this;
1. Thank you for relieving my boredom
2. Run for PM you might just get lucky!
3. I do question your 'Cool Wall' judgement at times and tend to side with the Hamster!!!!!

Nix, Birmingham,

Well well, seems like we have gone mad here in the uk, for me i cant see how all this trouble over a comment on tv can be news .

We must as a nation be looking to make ourselves feel good by getting heavy with others.

Now I often live in France, the other day I was driving along with my wife, she is french by the way.

She was laughing her head off over a radio program about guys who sit in bars all day drinking beer and often singing songs, the song she was laughing about was a song about guys who sit in bars often lick each others ass holes, imagine this in england eh, numerious complaints from I am offended where ever, who cares if Clarksen offends the correctness we are plauged with in england, swith off if you dont like it, remember it is a free choice to view or not, seems like lots of brits think it it is a goverment directive to stay glued to the tv set.

your in fun and more fun, am not gay but love them and lessies as well John Armitage

John, Wellington, UK

Can I complain to Ofcom that the homosexual community have taken the word "gay" from the dictionary, and perverted it's use so that I can no longer use that word in it's true meaning?
No ! I didn't think so.

David Wallace, Birmingham, UK

what he was trying to say -----it's a queer looking car.

how can that offend anyone?

l saunders, eastbourne, uk

This country is completely insane these days. Get a grip!

Clarkson has always been as he is and makes no apology for it, nor should he.

He is a breath of fresh air, the main reason why I buy the Sunday Times and usually makes me laugh til I cry!

Susie, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

It's a common statement amongst us homosexuals folks.

"That's so gay!" isn't homophobic or anything of the sort.. It's just a throwaway comment like so many others we have. Used about a T-Shirt, the way someone walks, a bag someone carries. Abercrombie & Fitch.

Like most of Clarkson's comments it's something to be laughed at then quickly forgotten. Get over it FFS!

Simon James, London, UK

This country is pathetic!

Jon, Newport,

You know what you get with Clarkson and you might not like it all. I don't always, but most of the time the guy makes me smile and occasionally laugh out loud.

It is like the relationship I have with most of my friends - they tend to use humour in relation to race, sex and religion, mostly tongue in cheek and packed with false bravado. That is the way we are and is a reflection of how we like to laugh at ourselves. You only have to listen to a bunch of guys in a pub on a Thursday night to know that. And it is the guy in the pub that Clarkson appeals to.

The vast majority of us know where the line is drawn on these issues and so does Clarkson. It is this perspective that makes us the most tolerant, understanding and open of societies. It is only when we lose this sense of perspective that we become...well, like a country that sacks a female minister for a public hug.

Rob, London, UK

Being a hetro/metro/homo/bisexual black and yellow, jewish, christian, muslim mormon with Irish grandparents on my fathers side (who was also my sister), I find it difficult to go anywhere these days without being offended.

Regards
Disgusted of Cleethorpes

Tony, Grimsby, uk

sitting in solemn conclave over a dictionary and weighing the merits of comments used on a popular BBC tv programme. Now that is a bit gay!

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

Well said Bill of Manchester. As for eddie in Richmond USA - you guys can keep your political correctness. That's where this nonsense comes from. PC is just stalinism of the mind - and to think it came from the 'Land of the Free' - what a joke that is! Freedom of speech and the individual should be paramount.

Ian , Bristol,

Did the watchdogs research also turn up that gay men drive H2 Hummers and Harley Davidson mortorcycles? Maybe it was a bit "one sided"? I'm sorry, was I wrong saying one sided?

Colin Coghlan, Hoboken, USA

The problem with this is it shows to the young people that its cool to diss something as gay..
Bear in mind there are thousands of young kids there who are in a VERY DIFFICULT situation trying to come out...

jeremy, london,

I think the thread of these comments is clear.

Question is, how do you prevent PC taking us over?

paul, Milton Keynes,

I don't think us in England are that PC and this clearly isn't representative. I'm also suprised that ofcom took it that seriously. If Stonewall took offence at that then they have a Mary Whitehouse mentality that has no perspective.

Darren, London,

This just about sums up Britain Today. A nation that is becoming scared to say anything to anyone about anyone or anything.

I do not know of another nation that wraps cultures, religious groups and genders up in cotton wool making the public afraid to even look at someone in the wrong way just in case it gets misconstrued as racist, bigoted or xenophobic.

Mr Clarkson has always been renound for his cutting and witty remarks and this is why he is loved by so many.

What amazes me is that we, tax payers, pay for idiots to uphold such complaints. Get a proper job guys ........ oops sorry persons !, look at real issues not off the cuff humerous dialogue.

Mark Websper, Margate, Kent

"the term 'queer' is offensive to all gay men. This is 2007, not 1937. More power to Stonewall and OfCom - and the voice of the suppressed minorities may finally be heard," says Robert Brett of Hastings.

This is basically everything that's wrong with this country. Folks deciding what is offensive to everyone else. I've heard countless gay people refer to themselves as queers. I think it's as least as mild a term as gay, not that he even said queer for Christ's sake! One might say calling things gay/queer is a bit juvenile, and I'd probably agree with you but this is comedy! This notion we must ban everything we don't agree with or even think someone might not agree with, it's just out of control!

This PC gone mad stuff doesn't help anyone, not the least people who actually do need protecting and not from the boyish comments of one of the few presenters around that talks like a man might do down the pub, away from the prying ears of bleeding heart liberal classes.

Mat Bettinson, Chichester, West Sussex

Utter nonsense, Clarkson is only saying what everybody feels and I personally love his honest approach to life. If only everyone was so open and forthright....

Yet again the over-sensitiveness of our overlords is only serving to undermine the moral values of our society. How far will this rubbish go!?

Common sense - exit stage left...tolerance...exit stage right...EVERYONE is a minority...lefthanded, red haired, etc. etc....why do some minorities feel the need to make a big play of their status yet others don't?

JC for PM!

Nick

Nick, Edinburgh,

If that comment was done here in the US, OMG, this guy would be in BIG trouble.

eddie, richmond, US

this absurd & loony discussion proves one thing absolutely irrevocably: political correctness is rubbish!!!

this people definetly have to much free time. it's basicly the same like nipplegate, not that big fuzz, but. sex is bad and violence doesn't matter, as well as qualityless tv-programm.

I will not come up with stuff like freedom of speach and art and so on. There are 3 facts about this story, a) this watchdog and/or offcom-people have absolutely no idea of cars b) as well as about the british people c) the Daihatsu Copen is (a bit) gay. POINT. Like a Mini or New Beetle convertible is gay and like a Cadillac SUV with chrome alloys is a Hip-Hop-mobile. That's it. A simple basic fact.

That doesn't mean I hate gay people or Hip Hop buffs or Daihatsu-/Mini-/New Bettle-/Cadillac-SUV-drivers, cause I don't and Clarkson does either, it's just a meaning.

Daniel, Hannover, Germany

I am offended by Political Correctness. Who do I complain to?

Bill, Manchester,

I don't think this complaint reflects the view of the general gay community - who I would guess don't care any more than everyone else posting comments here.

Those 5 complainees should stop being so touchy - if they're like this now, I wonder how they would react to a real insult?!

Ian, Lancaster, UK

Somebody congratulated Clarkson for "calling a spade a spade....."
Watch out! the Commission for Racial Equality will now be leaping to the defence of all sensitive gardening implements!

Barnabas, London,

A total waste of time, everyone knows what they get with Jeremy Clarkson. The comments are made to either illcit laughter or groans, people who watch or attend the show are aware of his near the knuckle comments. The people who are moaning switch off and get a life and leave the rest of us to watch in peace.

A daniel, London, England

Got to say that I agree 100% wholeheartedly with 99.9% of the comments on this site - this country has gone mad, common sense coupled with traditional humour has gone out of the window.... the big worry is I can see it getting worse...one day the silent majority............

John G, halifax, England

I bet whoever made the decision to censure Clarkson has a Caravan

Oh wait, am I being Offensive to Caravan owners? I shall expect a notice of Censure shortly

oh wait, now I'm being offensive to people who Censure people!

I'm obviously a rampant bigot, Lock me up before I bring the nation to its knees! Viva La Revolution

Richard, Cardiff, Wales

Clarkson at his best - poking fun and delighting in the utterly predictable reaction of the over sensitive - Clarkson is a national treasure and should be knghted for his services to the British national character !

John Jago, Sydney, Australia

I agree with previous posts - Jeremy for Prime Minister!

J, London,

As one of these supposedly "suppressed" minorities, I can categorically state that political correctness does nothing to help us. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

A joke is just that - a joke. There was nothing malicious about Clarkson's remark. Stop projecting your hatred and paranoia.

dijon, havant,

He should be able to say what he likes, without the thought-police breathing down his neck, just as the rest of us should be able to.

Anthony Smales, Beverley, UK

frabs, vienna!! That comment is spot on! I think certain groups have it in for topgear. Maybe they all own caravans!!

Mark Donkin, Wirral, England

He said the car was a bit gay........he didn't say we should burn all gays and lesbians at the stake.........he didn't even say being gay was a bad thing, just not his thing.

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT RIGHT NOW! STOP IT! All right, no one is to stone _anyone_ until I blow this whistle. Even... and I want to make this absolutely clear... even if they do say, "Jehovah. ""

Ben R, Manchester,

It seems that Clakson's colums is read by a majority of stuffed shirt homophobic bigots - I suppose you think that Hitler's extermination of 100's of 1000's of gays in the concentration camps was acceptable practise? Clarkson should know better - the term 'queer' is offensive to all gay men. This is 2007, not 1937. More power to Stonewall and OfCom - and the voice of the suppressed minorities may finally be heard.

Robert Brett, Hastings, UK

Why does this offend 'gay' people, If a cars gay, it's gay, nothing wrong with that! Maybe some cars are gay, i am for same car sex,

Adam Webb, MK, UK

Clarkson is reported to have responded: "It wasn't a gay car - it was actually a bit lesbian."

Absolutely spot on! "Gingerbeer" is actually a website dedicated to London Lesbians. Pity Ofcom didn't check that fact out first and it obviously doesn't offend the Gay and Lesbian community.

What a shameless waste of time and public money. PC will be the ruin of us.

Invicta, Kent,

Perfect comment,R Colborne in Sydney.
Long live Jeremy Clarkson.

val jones, london, UK

"The term 'gay' is also used to describe something as foolish and lame."

Implying that someone who is gay is foolish and lame. How is that right, exactly? It's used as an insult. Would you like someone to use your sexual orientation as an insult? Thought not.

But still, give us a break, Ofcom, he was hardly using it in an insulting manner.

starling, Lancaster,

On the BBC news website, the BBC reported that 5 people complained about Clarkson's Ginger Beer quip.... 5 out of about 8,000,000 viewers.

The BBC should have rejected the complaints immediately and told the moaning minnies to get a life, or at least a sense of humour, and Ofcom should have taken a similar line.

It was a harmless jest, it's not like he was inciting violence or racial hatred.

Why is English society so overly sensitive these days? It's utterly ridiculous.

Clarkson for Prime Minister !!!!

Neil Collins, Zurich, Switzerland

Clarkson is a legend, making witty comments like that is what make him clarkson, what is wrong with saying a car is a gay its an opinion what happened to being able to express your opion im sure it wasnt meant in offense, everyone needs to stop being so god damn over the top pc and just relax and chill out stop being so uptight all the time and stop complaining over the slightest detail just to try and grab a bit of componsation stop being pathetic and get a grip!!

Claire, Rotherham, England

And which homosexual in Ofcom followed this through to its illogical conclusion?
Jeremy actually got the wrong company, it's Ford who sponsor homosexuals with thousands of dollars.
Or am i not allowed to say that under the UK freedom of information act?
Jeremy for prime minister!

Max, Middlesbrough, UK

This a clear case of PCGM - political correctness gone mad - yet another example of what's wrong with the UK at the moment.

Jeremy Clarkson is like a breath of fresh air with his views, which in the main I suspect, mirror the views of many.

Carole, Gramat, France

This story is a bit gay...

RColborne, Sydney, Australia

I am astounded that Ofcom has nothing better to do.

Has anyone ever noticed that the 'do-gooders' are never of the social or econimic group that they are defending?

With so many important things happening in this world, perhaps, just perhaps, we should stop worrying about the sexual orientation of a car or person.

Alex, Dubai, UAE

When I saw him say it on telly I always took it to mean that it was lame. I mean, for christs sake leave the man alone. People should know by now that he is opinionated and un-pc, but if we have to censor every remark that was intended as a joke (and I'm sure he had no intention of offending anyone) then we would live in a very boring society indeed.

ST, Sydney, Australia

Definitions change over time. The term 'gay' is also used to describe something as foolish and lame. Surely Stonewall understand this.

In 20 or so years time the word 'gay' will probably have a different meaning again. No-one uses it to describe something as 'happy' anymore, so it probably won't be used to refer to someone as homosexual.

These comments so far are 95% in favour of Clarkson. The man is a fool at times but even more foolish is Stonewall's attitude to his remark. They are being so gay (foolish, lame).

Rich Lewis, Ruislip, uk

I'm quite old now and this "pc" rubbish is one of many trends in society which will lessen my regret in having to leave this world. I fear we have already seen the best of Britain. Whatever happened to common sense.

David, London,

What a load of rubbish not being able to use the word GAY or QUEER! Or even "Ginger beer".

If the Gays and Queers don't like a descriptive word - call themselves straight and make love to a real lady.

Biased - yes. To the point - yes. What most people agree with - definitely!

Roger D, Slough, Berks

So to call some one gay is not offensive, but to call someone queer is.?
The word gay means happy, the word queer means odd. However, everyone knows that in the modern usage of the words they are synonymous, so how can one be offensive and the other be acceptable?
There is only one way to cure the problem....

Reg Arthwright, Leeds, Yorks

Clarkson, keep to your guns - keep calling a spade a spade

Peter Smith, Oxford,

"it ruled that in conjunction with “ginger beer”, Cockney rhyming slang for queer.." Who's to say Clarkson meant the car had a particular sexual preference (that notion alone is a little bit ginger beer). Queer itself means strange or odd from a conventional viewpoint and quite frankly it might be a good marketting slogan for the Daihatsu Copen.

j3st3r, Melbourne, Australia

I was appalled by Clarkson's comments. His comments weren't even funny. More like juvenile.

john, london,

big deal he called a car gay get your heads out of your backsides and enjoy life

sp, bolton,

Reminds me of a piece in the Sunday Times a while ago, quote;
"Thames Valley police, meanwhile, are expected to receive lifetime achievement awards for arresting a chap who suggested that a police horse might be “gay”, thus — according to the boys in blue — causing offence and distress to “both the police officer and his horse”. "
What is this World coming , or are'nt I allowed to ask that nowadays ?.

alan, London, UK

How ridiculous. Clarkson is right - the car is not a macho car. Personally I think it is ideally suited to someone in touch with their feminine side, or quite possibly a woman.

These do gooders should really get off their petty saopboxes and try to make a real difference rather than taking offence at every slight slip of the tongue or slice of traditional humour.

Martyn, Okehampton,

It's political correctness gone to the extreme, this gay rights group must have known what the first man really meant when he said the car was a bit 'gay'. It's this sort of judging which, were it allowed to be continued, would eventually stop anyone expressing any kind of negative opinion. It should stop...

Daniel Innis, Chesterfield, England

And finally Humour dies at the BBC

Steve , Sunhine coast, Auetralia

Do these watchdogs have a special operation to remove all trace of a sense of humour? Don't they realise just how much their silliness irritates ordinaary, sensible people and breeds just the sort of dislike that they claim to be fighting. Apart from the odd activist, I'd be quite surprised if the majority of gay people found Clarkson's gybe more offensive than funny. Only the truly insecure are unable to occasionally take a joke about themselves. I'm deaf but can happily laugh at 'deaf jokes'. I have a sufficiently high opinion of myself to be able to see the funny side. Should I complain every time there is humour on TV 'at the expense' of the deaf? How boring life would be without a laugh.

Bob Finbow, Haverhill, England

oh dear. would it have been better if he'd said it was homosexual?

what about irish jokes? and for god's sake (oo..er missus) don't bring mother's in law into it.... sheesh

LB, rayong, thailand

Goodness me England - get a grip. The watchdog has ended up giving this nonsense more publicity than it deserves. What has happened to free speech!!!

Johnny Sutherland, Limburgerhof, Germany

And people thought the Spanish Inquisition was edgy.

Charlotte Varney, Cambridge,

Political correctness gone mad as usual - all we need now is for when Clarkson takes the mickey out of himself for being lazy or fat, someone writes in to complain on behalf of fat or lazy people. Calm down people.......take these throw away comments with the pinch of salt I am sure they were intended.

Andy, Geneva,

This is ridiculous, it is nothing to take offence at and is simply people taking political correctness (already a stupid idea) too far. Jeremy Clarkson would be much less entertaining without his outspoken opinions, and means no harm in them. The world would be a much more boring place without people like Clarkson (as OI said, 'a national treasure'), and I'm sure that many homosexuals would agree and take no offence from the comment.

With all this rubbish about pleasing everyone these days, where is my regulator of political correctness in the world? Why must I suffer, listening to people criticise someone having a laugh simply because someone, somewhere MIGHT be offended? Where can I complain about people ruining my good time being overly cautious?

Nick, Leeds,

"Ofcom, the media watchdog, ruled this morning that there was “no justification” for the comment."????

The justification is that it is funny!!! What is the point in censoring people from everyday language? What a pathetic country we live in, this is the language of the land, this is how people talk and this is what people hear.

Looks like Stonewall can't take a joke, what a bunch of losers

Andy, Manchester,

Clarkson for Prime Minister!

Vote Clarkson, London, London

Clarkson for Prime Minister!

At least he has the courage of his convictions and the b*lls to say so.

What you see is what you get, unlike the smoke and mirror pc brigade which forms our political class.

Jane B, London, England

Someone at Ofcom got paid to look into this? Ridiculous, a world gone PC mad.

rob, london,

I think political correctness is a joke and there is a funny kind of criminal ring about hearing that these investigations are being taken out. Clarkson and anyboy for that fact should be able to say what its a gay looking car and thats fact so why cant he speak his mind?

matt, bristol,

my god england you are so lost in your determined attempt to be politically correct it blinds you.....to be gay is a phenonema it exists it has a name and many characteristics......why can that name not be used..we may say a manly car a feminine car a childish car a tough car a white car a black car.. but we cant have a gay car which i would assume is a manly car with some feminine qualities as many homosexuals are, and are proud to be, so much so that they often over- do it .....leave the guy alone. England you are pathetic...

frabs, vienna,

funny :)
Clarkson is a national treasure...

Ol, Reading, Berkshire

Don't these people have anything better to do?
What happened to freedom of speech?

Gary, Maidstone,

Ridiculous! Cars cannot have any sexual preferences, and he was therfore merely talking nonsense. Ofcom and Stonewall then proceeded to do likewise.

If he were to describe a car as being 'butch', macho, or straight, could that be deemed offensive to heterosexuals?

therave, London, UK