Bill Bailey has shared some thoughts on Jeremy Clarkson’s controversial column (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios)
Bill Bailey believes Jeremy Clarkson’s controversial column on Meghan Markle was ‘ill-conceived’ and that may be the understatement of 2022/23.
The Grand Tour’s Clarkson achieved peak controversy following his thoughts on the Duchess Of Sussex, in which the 62-year-old expressed his hatred of the royal and said he fantasised about her being ‘paraded naked through the streets’.
He remarked that he hated Markle, 41, on a ‘cellular level’, before comparing her to incarcerated serial killer Rose West, in a piece that resulted in more than 20,000 Ipso complaints. Ultimately, the Sun column was taken offline, after many famous faces condemned Clarkson’s words.
Amid the backlash, Clarkson – who’s known for being outspoken – said in a statement that he had ‘put his foot in it’ and said he would be much more careful in the future.
Speaking about the controversy amid a wider conversation around social media and its effects on comedy, Bailey, 57, told The Telegraph: ‘That was classic Twitter. You might [make a comment like Clarkson’s] in the pub as a clumsy, oafish sort of laugh. But you put it in print and not only does it take on another life but it gives gravitas to something that should never have had it.
‘You think “Come on, you’ve got to be more savvy than that, surely you can see how that’s going to pan out”. It was misguided and ill-conceived and he got the kicking he deserved.’
Clarkson conceded he put his foot in it (Picture: ABACA/PA Images)
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle issued a statement following The Sun’s apology (Picture: AP)
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Bailey shared his feelings on social media and its effect on live comedy, adding that if Elon Musk were to ‘switch Twitter off’ he’d not be all that mad about it.
Bailey said: ‘Comedy is very subjective. But social media inveigles its way into the live situation. It has no business being there. Half the time people weren’t even at the gigs, they just hear what has been said and decide they’re outraged as well.
‘Whenever I hear someone saying a comedian should never perform again, I think “it’s a gig, it’s not the Reith Lectures”. If [social media] ended tomorrow, would anyone miss it? If Elon Musk had some flash of wisdom, he could just switch Twitter off. I’d love that. It would be the ultimate philanthropic gesture.’
Bailey also reflected on the effect of social media on comedy (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Last week, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Markle called out The Sun’s apology over Clarkson’s column, after the newspaper issued a statement saying it regrets its publication, and that it was ‘sincerely sorry’.
The paper said: ‘In last Saturday’s Sun, Jeremy Clarkson wrote a comment article about the Duchess of Sussex. It provoked a strong response and led to a large number of complaints to Ipso, the independent press regulator.
‘In a tweet earlier this week, Jeremy said he had made a “clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones”, which had “gone down badly with a great many people” and he was “horrified to have caused so much hurt”. He also said he will be more careful in future.
‘Columnists’ opinions are their own, but as a publisher we realise that with free expression comes responsibility. We at The Sun regret the publication of this article and we are sincerely sorry.’
The newspaper added that the article had also been removed from their archives as well as their website.
A statement from a spokesperson for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, shared with the PA news agency last Saturday said: ‘The fact that the Sun has not contacted The Duchess of Sussex to apologise shows their intent.
‘This is nothing more than a PR stunt. While the public absolutely deserves the publication’s regrets for their dangerous comments, we wouldn’t be in this situation if The Sun did not continue to profit off of and exploit hate, violence and misogyny.’
They added: ‘A true apology would be a shift in their coverage and ethical standards for all.
‘Unfortunately, we’re not holding our breath.’
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The controversy continues.
