Top Gear still won’t put a brake on swearing… and it’s driving viewers up the wall

By
Liz Thomas

Last updated at 12:18 AM on 15th February 2012

The BBC has promised to curb bad language in its programmes, but it seems that Top Gear is exempt.

The popular BBC2 show is broadcast at 8pm – an hour before the watershed – and is now widely regarded as family entertainment rather than a car show for ‘lads’.

But on Sunday night’s programme, one guest used the word b******s and the word t***** was sprayed across a car.

Criticism: Top Gear is under fire from some viewers for using bad language before the watershed

Criticism: Top Gear is under fire from some viewers for using bad language before the watershed. Pictured are presenters Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May

Explosive: Sunday's show saw the Top Gear presenters recreating a car chase in the style of The Sweeney

Explosive: Sunday's show saw the Top Gear presenters recreating a car chase in the style of The Sweeney

Explosive: Sunday’s show saw the Top Gear presenters recreating a car chase in the style of The Sweeney

In another segment, the F-word had to be bleeped out seven times in five minutes, while the word s*** was censored so badly it was clear what was being said.

Irate viewers took to Twitter to question why such language was necessary. One said: ‘Come on BBC! Why so much swearing in a family show?’

Another said: ‘Some words are bleeped out but others aren’t. Younger viewers may be watching so either screen it after 9pm or cut out the swearing.’

The BBC is well aware that Top Gear is popular with younger teens and children – its commercial arm makes millions from merchandise relating to the show.   

It even launched a dedicated magazine encouraging young people to collect trading cards each week, though this has now closed.

Popular: Top Gear is now regarded as a family show

Popular: Top Gear is now regarded as a family show

A report into children’s viewing habits also suggests that they often ‘bore little relation’ to the timing of the watershed  –  with more than half of 11 to 15-year-olds watching until 10pm or later.

Most of the bad language related to a sketch in the show, in which hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond attempted to choreograph a car chase in the style of The Sweeney.

The sketch director Nick Love, who has made the forthcoming film version of the classic 1970s cop show, is shown becoming increasingly infuriated and using increasingly bad language because of their bizarre plans for the car chase.

Love and Ray Winstone, who stars in the new film, appeared on the show to promote the production.

The corporation said it would cut back on offensive language in 2009 after a survey of more than 2,000 viewers found that even young people were concerned about its proliferation.

A BBC spokesman declined to comment.

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