Jeremy Clarkson has been offered a lifeline by ITV following the fallout from the "Top Gear" presenter's comments on Meghan Markle. The presenter sparked a backlash with an incendiary column about the Duchess of Sussex, in which he expressed his disdain for her. Jeremy later apologized for the article, acknowledging his language as disgraceful. The Sun newspaper also issued an apology for publishing the column and removed it from their online platform. Now, The Mirror reports that ITV has decided to allow Jeremy to continue his role as the host of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," despite a petition filed by Meghan's representatives urging ITV to terminate his employment.
A senior source at Staley, who makes the show, commented that Clarkson made a significant error with his column, but his genuine apology afterward helped his case. This stood in contrast to figures like Piers Morgan, who refused to backtrack on his comments about Meghan. ITV had been observing the public's reaction to recent episodes of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," and since there wasn't a substantial outcry, they've chosen to retain Clarkson as the host. This decision presents a second chance for Clarkson, although it's implied that there might not be a third if he were to make a similar misstep.
Meanwhile, Meghan's upset over ITV's dismissal of her request. Additionally, her mood was further affected by a poll indicating that Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, remains the most popular member of the royal family. Despite Meghan's efforts to besmirch Catherine's reputation, she remains highly regarded by the public. The survey revealed that more than 38% of Britons named Catherine as their favorite royal, while the popularity of Meghan and Harry has declined. Prince Harry's popularity stands at 11%, and Meghan's at 7%. These findings coincide with rumors suggesting Meghan's animosity towards Catherine, possibly stemming from an incident at Wimbledon where Catherine allegedly declined to walk arm-in-arm with her, despite their limited acquaintance.
