Top Gear have apologised in a written statement signed by all three presenters and producers after recieviong record number of complaints from viewers who heard supposed 'off air' comments made during the segueway from live studio to feature.
After a lighthearted racist tirade against Mexicans the studio sound technicians failed to switch off the live microphone feed and the offending coments were audible over the introduction to an irrelevant look at flamethrowering gypsey camps. Viewers could clearly here the presenters talking to each other with James May saying "we've gone to far on that last piece, I was uncomfortable belittling a nation and people who I respect as fellow human beings".
Richard Hammond can be heard agreeing with the sentiments and adding that he wished they could "value other cultures and imbue that spirit within the programme". Most damming of all were remarks made by Jeremy Clarkson who has admitted to teling his co-hosts that he was "acually a big fan of a lot of Mexican culture, especially the food" and that the country was "one of the most enjoyable places to relax for a holiday".
The written apology says that lessons have been learnt and that any non-offensive unchildish opinions and language were never meant to have been broadcast. "We've let down the BBC, ourselves and most of all our fans" the apology concludes. However, the programmes remorse has met with further anger from once loyal viewers who "feel cheated and betrayed" according to Fan Club spokesman Roger Pearson "to think that these men we let into our front rooms each Sunday, and then every weekday on Dave, could be capable of such a rational, grown up and unoffensive nature troubles me deeply."
...this might work better as just a headline - or if anyone want to run with any angle on this then please do...
