Jeremy Clarkson Remembers Backlash Over His Dog’s Name and BBC’s Response
Jeremy Clarkson has reflected on the time he was accused of racism over the name of his dog, Didier Dogba, and how the controversy played out in the media.
Back in 2014, the renowned presenter faced online outrage for naming his new black dog after the famous footballer Didier Drogba. Clarkson responded to the backlash, questioning why naming his dog after a footballer was considered racist.
The BBC investigated the incident as part of an internal review into the culture at Top Gear. Eventually, the then-director of television, Danny Cohen, confirmed that Clarkson was not racist.
In his recent column for The Sunday Times, Clarkson recounted the incident, expressing frustration at the BBC for reprimanding him over what he saw as a minor issue. He compared the situation to the careers of disgraced BBC figures like Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris, and Huw Edwards, questioning why his case was treated so seriously while those individuals continued their work.
Clarkson reflected on his exit from Top Gear in 2015, following an altercation with a producer. Despite the controversy, he noted that his life had significantly improved since leaving the show and couldn’t help but feel a sense of smugness when observing the fates of others involved in scandals.
He further discussed the serious misconduct of other BBC figures, such as Harris, who was convicted of indecent assault, and Savile, whose sexual abuse crimes were uncovered after his death. Clarkson’s comments shed light on the discrepancies he saw in how different issues were handled within the network.
After departing from Top Gear, Clarkson, along with Richard Hammond and James May, launched The Grand Tour on Prime Video. The trio’s emotional finale aired in 2024, marking the end of their long-running collaboration. Meanwhile, Top Gear ended after a crash involving Freddie Flintoff during a filming session with co-hosts Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
