Top 10 Top Gear Controversies

The list of people who haven't been offended in some way by Top Gear now reads thusly: Kristin Scott Thomas. Here's a little rundown of some of the people, objects, wildlife and terrains which have fallen foul of the guys' edgy humour.

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#1. Breaking up the wrong tree

It's terrible when bad things happen to good trees, and when the gentle folk of Churchill in Somerset tuned in and saw that their favourite pile of bark had been dented not by accident, but a sturdy Toyota Hilux driven by Jezza, they were none too pleased.
#2. Rhyming slang

Let it never be said the Top Gear lads aren't open-minded – in fact it never can be after a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo from 'The Village People' to quash rumours gay people weren't allowed to be part of the studio audience. And the whole 'ginger beer' Daihatsu comment...
#3. Caravanageddon

The Top Gear lads have it in for caravans – that's no secret – but even the sturdiest of viewers gasped when one was set alight in Dorset during the show. As our beloved Prime Minister might say, calm down dears – it was just a prank. A simple lampoon.
#4. Drive-by Stigging

One of the most controversial incidents ever to occur is all the fault of those ruddy Americans, with their pistols and their cowboy spirits. When the lads did a 'drive-by' on The Stig it led over 7,000 people to get on the blower to Ofcom. It can't count as glamorising guns if you do it in stonewashed jeans, surely?
#5. Ve have ways of offending you

Given Jezza and co's outrageousness it's a wonder they get any driving done at all. When they quipped about a 'quintessentially German' car's sat-nav only directing them to Poland feathers flew. Very sensitive bunch those Germans, must be all that lederhosen dry-cleaning kerfuffle that has them irked.
#6. Complaints on the line

Can't do wrong from doing right sometimes, the Top Gear guys. In recreating a train smash which occurred near Scunthorpe to raise awareness of level crossing safety they got in bother because it was broadcast shortly after another serious train crash. First and last time they get involved with public transport, that...
#7. Ice with that?

When the gang took to the arctic wastes, and by that we do not mean Middlesbrough in autumn, they celebrated with a gin and tonic. Technically they were gliding as it was on ice, but drink-driving campaigners were furious. We never drink when we're driving – it always spills on corners, doesn't it?
#8. Sympathy for the Hamster

After Richard survived his horrendous crash you might have assumed that James and Jez would have gone a bit easier on him...if you'd never watched the show. Their question "are you now a mental" set some on edge, as did talk of him dribbling. Next time say it with flowers, eh lads?
#9. Ben Tongue-in-cheek

What could be better than exploring the bogland of Scotland in your 4x4? That was just what Clarkson thought when he drove to the top of Ben Tongue. Fans of the mushy ground beneath his wheels were outraged, claiming it'd take years to get over his monstrous squashing.
#10. Green fingers

In the greatest tragedy to befall a small area of lawn since the Blue Peter garden disaster, the boys mucked up Sir Steve Redgrave's turf in the most appalling fashion. They were just trying to help, but some viewers found the horticultural horror a bit distasteful. Well, he can always pawn some of the gold medals to have it fixed...