Poll results: Jeremy Clarkson should stay on ITV despite Meghan Markle column

31 January 2023 , 12:14

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Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host Jeremy Clarkson has since apologised for his hate-filled rant about Meghan Markle. (Image: Charles McQuillan Getty Images/Ian West PA Wire)

Jeremy Clarkson should NOT be axed from ITV, according to an overwhelming majority of Mirror readers.

The former Top Gear presenter sparked huge controversy with his mean-spirited column about Meghan Markle, leading to many calling for him to be sacked as host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Clarkson says his bosses at ITV and Amazon, who make his Farm Show and the Grand Tour, were 'incandescent' after his decision to share his disturbing thoughts with the public in December.

The streaming giant was swift to cut ties with the star, reportedly saying they have no plans to work with him after next year.

After all the hoo-ha, we decided to 'ask the audience' and find out what our readers thought about it all - and it was far from a 50/50 response!

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In answer to our poll ' Should ITV axe Jeremy Clarkson after Meghan column? ', just 252 of you answered 'yes'.

But a sizeable 1,826 of you answered 'no' - and very much want him to stay with the channel.

And hundreds of you offered your thought in the comments, see a flavour of the opinions below.

In Jeremy's corner:

Tremain: 'No way should he be sacked. We are supposed to have free speech in this country.'

Iara28: ' His remarks were nasty, that’s for sure. But he apologised straight away, we all make mistakes. On his quiz show he is actually very considerate to his guests. He makes his show about them. I’d be sorry if he left.'

NelsonEye: 'No he should NOT be sacked!'

Cal3003: ' Not at all! What would be gained from sacking him apart from loss of viewers?'

Prettyboy123: ' No, people's opinions are their own. Allowing this kind of discrimination to continue is very dangerous.'

Kaffy: ' There's nothing wrong with his opinions. Anyone who doesn't like him can go elsewhere. He doesnt deserve the sack.'

Iron57: 'Of course ITV shouldn’t drop him. Clarkson’s whole career is based on shocking people. If you don’t like him, don’t watch him. We all have that power in our own hands.'

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Frostie: ' No, he's entitled to an opinion and it's much the same as a lot of other people's. He's apologised, which I also don't think he should have done, so just let him get on with things.'

Shaz152: 'It was a joke that went horribly wrong ... he didn't mean it literally! He apologised and owned his mistake ... we all do or say things sometimes that are awful.'

Jeremy Clarkson has hosted ITV's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? since 2018. (ITV)

Against Jeremy

Serendipity: ' What is there to think about. Just get rid of this vile creature ... is there anything to be gained from promoting his ideology on national TV or any other media for that matter?'

Rightcharlie: ' Yes, yes, a thousand times yes ...'

Peppe: 'I think that he should be shown the door. His remarks were very crude and as a senior journalist he should have known better.'

Ghislaine: ' Yes he should have been sacked immediately . Why hasn't he been? He's a neanderthal. I cannot stand him - such a loudmouth, overbearing, deeply unpleasant type.'

Ath47: 'Get rid of him'.

What do YOU think? Do you agree with the results of the poll? Let us know your thoughts below

Paul Speed