Jeremy Clarkson's explosive rant about how he fantasises about people 'throwing lumps of excrement' at a naked Meghan Markle, has become the most complained about newspaper article in British history.
The ex-Top Gear host, 62, made the comments in an opinion column for The Sun on Friday, after the release of the final part of Meghan and Prince Harry's Netflix documentary.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation has recently revealed that they have received in excess of 17,500 complaints through the outburst, surpassing previous records set by the Scottish Sun in 2020. That article about the Stonehaven train derailment received more than 16,860 complaints.
Read more: ITV faces calls to sack Jeremy Clarkson after 'deplorable' Meghan Markle remarks
The Mirror reports that the number of complaints about the Clarkson column also surpassed the total number the regulator received last year, which was 14,355. IPSO revealed: "We will follow our usual processes to examine the complaints we have received. This will take longer than usual because of the volume of complaints."
However, they said that the number of complaints would be subject to change.
It comes as a group of more than 60 cross-party MPs wrote to the editor of The Sun, Victoria Newton, requesting an apology to be issued to the Duchess Of Sussex.
Tory Caroline Nokes MP, wrote: "We are horrified at the recent article by Jeremy Clarkson in your publication."
The MPs slammed the 'violent, misogynistic language' written about the Duchess. Clarkson wrote in the column that he wants the Duchess of Sussex to be 'paraded naked through the streets' and 'dreams of people throwing lumps of excrement at her'. He also added that he 'hated Meghan on a cellular level' comparing his disdain for her to that of SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and serial killer Rose West.
"Meghan, though, is a different story. I hate her. Not like I hate Nicola Sturgeon or Rose West. I hate her on a cellular level," the former Top Gear host penned. He added that he was: "dreaming of the day when she is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, ‘Shame!’ and throw lumps of excrement at her”.
“Everyone who’s my age thinks the same way," he added.
Backlash from a number of high-profile figures prompted a response from Clarkson afterwards. Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "Oh dear. I’ve rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people.
"I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future."
But fans weren't best pleased with his comments, with many questioning why he didn't simply use the word 'sorry'.
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