The BBC has issued an apology following the public outcry about Jeremy Clarkson’s use of the derogatory term “slope” for an Asian person during an episode of Top Gear.

Clarkson made the comment during a Burmese special of the programme, where he joked about a “slope” on the bridge over River Kwai, saying:

“That is a proud moment – but there is a slope on it”

Top gear’s executive producer Andy Wilman apologised for any offence caused by Clarkson’s comment, and said in a statement:

When we used the word ‘slope’ in the recent Top Gear Burma Special it was a light-hearted word play joke referencing both the build quality of the bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it.

We were not aware at the time, and it has subsequently been brought to our attention, that the word ‘slope’ is considered by some to be offensive and although it might not be widely recognised in the UK, we appreciate that it can be considered offensive to some here and overseas, for example in Australia and the USA.

If we had known that at the time we would not have broadcast the word in this context and regret any offence caused.