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Jeremy Clarkson’s Jesus remarks ignite renewed blasphemy backlash amid history of controversy

Thursday, 8 May 2025 12:11AM UTC

Jeremy Clarkson has provoked fresh outrage after calling Jesus Christ ‘the biggest fraudster’ in a controversial joke, reviving debate over the limits of celebrity humour and religious respect. The Top Gear presenter’s latest comments come amid his well-documented history of inflammatory remarks that continue to polarise public opinion.

Jeremy Clarkson's Controversial Comments Spark Outrage Over Blasphemy

Jeremy Clarkson, known globally for his roles on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has once again sparked controversy with his recent comments that critics have labelled as blasphemous. During a playful rant, the 65-year-old presenter jested about the figure of Jesus Christ, proclaiming, “Take a lesson from the biggest fraudster of them all – Jesus. I can walk on water. My mum was a virgin and my dad’s God. And I’m going to start an industry selling this guff that will last for 2,000 years. Top man.”

This statement, while undoubtedly intended to be humorous, has triggered a wave of backlash, particularly from Christian communities who perceive such references as disrespectful and deeply offensive. Clarkson's remarks followed his musings on the current social media culture that can elevate even the most mediocre of artwork to viral fame, prompting him to suggest that he might attempt to sell similar items in jest.

His history of contentious remarks is well-documented. In 2012, he faced criticism for using phrases like "Jesus wept" and "God Almighty" on Top Gear, with Reverend Graeme Anderson condemning these expressions for trivialising Christianity. The BBC defended Clarkson at the time, asserting that language evolves and certain phrases have become entrenched in everyday speech, with the judgement of their appropriateness hinging on the tone and context in which they are used.

Clarkson’s penchant for provocative commentary has often brought him into conflict with various groups. Beyond his irreverent jests at religious figures, he has stirred outrage for comments on a range of topics, including a highly controversial column in The Sun in 2020, where he claimed that God was "embarrassed" by Australia in light of devastating bushfires. His insensitivity surrounding such tragedies has drawn immediate ire, demonstrating a pattern in his public persona that skewers social norms and often veers into the inflammatory.

Moreover, in 2014, Clarkson faced criticism for using racially charged language on Top Gear, leading to a public apology following immense backlash. He admitted to the inappropriateness of the incident, which highlights a consistent narrative of Clarkson walking a fine line between satire and controversy.

As Clarkson navigates his dual roles as a popular entertainment figure and a provocateur, the reactions to his latest comments underscore the volatile intersection of comedy, faith, and cultural sensitivities. Observers are left to ponder whether Clarkson’s brand of humour has evolved or if it continues to rely on shock value, raising questions about accountability and the ramifications of celebrity status in a hyper-connected world.

With reactions flowing in from various quarters, it remains to be seen how Clarkson will address the fallout from his comments, especially given his history of handling controversies with a mix of defiance and bravado. As the debate rages on, his comments once again illuminate the powerful role of public figures in shaping discourse around faith and respect in society.

Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – [[1]](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25145125.top-gear-star-jeremy-clarkson-calls-jesus-christ-fraudster/?ref=rss), [[2]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9149386/Jeremy-Clarksons-blasphemy-is-just-everyday-language-says-BBC.html)
Paragraph 2 – [[2]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9149386/Jeremy-Clarksons-blasphemy-is-just-everyday-language-says-BBC.html), [[3]](https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/308632/BBC-backs-Jeremy-Clarkson-over-his-blasphemy), [[4]](https://tvtonight.com.au/2012/03/bbc-backs-jeremy-clarkson-over-blasphemous-comments.html)
Paragraph 3 – [[6]](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-clarkson-australian-wildfires-the-sun-column_uk_5e11bb8ce4b0843d3613b5eb), [[7]](https://apnews.com/television-general-news-fdb55f13796342fc9bf55361d37e3f23)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25145125.top-gear-star-jeremy-clarkson-calls-jesus-christ-fraudster/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9149386/Jeremy-Clarksons-blasphemy-is-just-everyday-language-says-BBC.html - In 2012, Jeremy Clarkson faced criticism for using phrases like 'Jesus wept' and 'God Almighty' during a 'Top Gear' episode. Reverend Graeme Anderson complained, stating that Clarkson's remarks trivialized Christianity. The BBC defended Clarkson, stating that such expressions had become part of everyday language and that judgments about their use depended on tone and context.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/308632/BBC-backs-Jeremy-Clarkson-over-his-blasphemy - In 2012, Clarkson's exclamations of 'Jesus wept' and 'God Almighty' during a 'Top Gear' episode led to complaints from Reverend Graeme Anderson, who found the comments offensive. The BBC responded by stating that while blasphemous language can offend some, certain words have become part of everyday language, and judgments about their use depend on tone and context.
https://tvtonight.com.au/2012/03/bbc-backs-jeremy-clarkson-over-blasphemous-comments.html - In 2012, Clarkson's use of phrases like 'Jesus wept' and 'God Almighty' on 'Top Gear' sparked complaints from Reverend Graeme Anderson, who felt the comments trivialized Christianity. The BBC defended Clarkson, stating that such expressions had become part of everyday language and that judgments about their use depended on tone and context.
https://www.autoblog.com/news/bbc-tells-complaining-vicar-jeremy-clarksons-blasphemy-is-ever - In 2012, Reverend Graeme Anderson complained about Clarkson's use of phrases like 'Jesus wept' and 'God Almighty' on 'Top Gear,' stating they trivialized Christianity. The BBC defended Clarkson, stating that such expressions had become part of everyday language and that judgments about their use depended on tone and context.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-clarkson-australian-wildfires-the-sun-column_uk_5e11bb8ce4b0843d3613b5eb - In 2020, Clarkson faced backlash for a column in 'The Sun' where he claimed that God was 'embarrassed' by Australia and had decided to set fire to it. The comments were widely criticized as insensitive and offensive, especially given the ongoing Australian bushfires at the time.
https://apnews.com/television-general-news-fdb55f13796342fc9bf55361d37e3f23 - In 2014, Clarkson apologized after allegations emerged that he used racist language during a 'Top Gear' episode. The controversy centered around a clip where Clarkson appeared to use the N-word while reciting a nursery rhyme. He later admitted to mumbling the offensive word and expressed remorse for the incident.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 7

Notes: The remarks attributed to Jeremy Clarkson appear recent as they reference his ongoing public commentary and reactions. However, the narrative recycles references to past controversies dating back to 2012, 2014, and 2020, indicating that some context is drawn from older events. There is no evidence the core story itself is repurposed from old news, but it heavily relies on historical incidents for framing.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The direct quote regarding Jesus Christ as 'the biggest fraudster of them all' is distinct and specific. No earlier documented source for this exact phrasing was found online, suggesting it may be an original or recent statement by Clarkson. Historical quotes from Clarkson related to blasphemy in 2012 and his 2020 column are well documented and cited, adding credibility.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from the Oxford Mail, a regional UK news outlet with some reputation but not a major national or international media organisation. While it is generally reliable for local news and reporting, there is less certainty compared to top-tier outlets. The referencing of reputable outlets like BBC and The Sun for historical context supports reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims about Clarkson's provocative style, past incidents, and the backlash from religious groups are consistent with his well-known public persona and documented history. The detailed contextualisation of previous controversies and specific references to well-known events support the plausibility of the narrative. No time-sensitive claims contradict known facts.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative presents a credible and timely account of Jeremy Clarkson's controversial comments, supported by verifiable historical context and a unique recent quote. Although it recycles some background information from past controversies, the core content is fresh and plausible. The source is moderately reliable, and the quotes appear original or properly documented.

Jeremy Clarkson
blasphemy
religious controversy
media backlash
celebrity scandals