Jeremy Clarkson, known for his outspoken personality on shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, once found himself at odds with renowned broadcaster Fiona Bruce. This unexpected feud began with a seemingly harmless comment during a joint TV appearance.
Fiona Bruce, famed for her hosting roles on BBC One’s Question Time and Antiques Roadshow, has interviewed a wide range of prominent figures—from politicians to Hollywood stars. Despite her polished public image, not all of her interactions with celebrities have been smooth.
The story dates back to 2007, when Fiona appeared on Top Gear for the first time. After helping Clarkson out of the tiny Peel P50 car, he quietly remarked, “She has got quite a nice bottom. I said that out loud, didn’t I?” Although the comment slipped by unnoticed at the time, it clearly left an impression.
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When Fiona returned to the show the following year alongside Kate Silverton, she seized the moment to turn the tables. During the “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment, she playfully slapped Clarkson’s rear, quipping that it “needs a bit of work.” This witty comeback revealed her sharp sense of humor and willingness to stand her ground.
The exchange didn’t end there. Fiona later succeeded Clarkson as the Sunday Times car review columnist—a move she cheekily described as “the ultimate revenge.” Her debut column opened with a playful nod to their earlier encounter: “[I’m] perching my bottom, nice or otherwise, on his patch.”
In an ironic twist, Fiona’s bottom became a topic of public conversation once again when she was awarded Rear of the Year two years later—a title she dismissed as “demeaning.”
Years later, when the Radio Times pressed her on the incident, Fiona swiftly deflected the question. Asked about slapping Clarkson’s rear, she firmly responded, “Don’t get me involved in that!”
As Clarkson’s Farm season 4 streams on Prime Video, this legendary clash remains a colorful footnote in the careers of two of British television’s most distinctive personalities.