Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘axe’ from Amazon has nothing to do with vile Meghan Markle comments, apparently-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Jeremy Clarkson was widely condemned for his article about the Suits actor (Picture: ABACA/PA Images)

Amazon ‘parting ways’ with Jeremy Clarkson may not be related to his horrific hate speech about Meghan Markle, it has been reported.

The Clarkson’s Farm frontman, 62, was at the centre of intense backlash last month after stating that he ‘hated’ the Duchess of Sussex on a ‘cellular level’ in a vile column for The Sun.

Amid the backlash, which even saw his own daughter Emily Clarkson condemned him for his comments, Variety reported the streaming service had decided to ‘cut ties’ with the former Top Gear host.

While seasons of The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm that have already been commissioned will go ahead, the publication said the platform will not continue their working relationship with the broadcaster once they are wrapped up.

However, it has been claimed that Amazon decided to ‘distance’ itself from Clarkson had always been on the cards and was over his article about Meghan, 41.

Instead, it is thought The Rig streamer has decided to can Clarkson’s projects because they are costly to produce and aren’t securing high enough viewing figures.

Amazon has confirmed that Clarkson’s Farm season 2 is still going ahead (Picture: Amazon)

The Telegraph reports that a ‘senior figure connected to Amazon’ said: ‘Any speculation that this has anything to do with anything like that [Harry and Meghan] is nonsense.’

A media analyst also rubbished the claims that Clarkson’s tarnished reputation had deterred Amazon, telling the outlet: ‘Amazon’s only interest in anything it makes or sells is does it make a profit?

‘This is a company that sells Mein Kampf, the Communist Manifesto, the Big Book of Serial Killers and Prime Video has a documentary on Charles Manson’s final words. I don’t think Jeremy Clarkson is quite in that league.’

The already commissioned The Grand Tour will also be made available on Amazon (Picture: Amazon)

The article went on to claim that Clarkson is ‘expensive’ and his shows don’t ‘rate well outside of the UK’, not making them cost-effective.

It uses figures obtained from global audience measurement company Parrot Analytic to show that demand for Clarkson’s Farm is 30% lower than demand for the average show in the USA. 

Meanwhile, The Grand Tour, which films all over the world, reportedly featured the ‘most expensive TV opening scene ever.’

The Sun removed Clarkson’s article about Meghan after receiving thousands of complaints (Picture: Getty)

The opening scene was thought to have cost around £2.5million, featuring 150 cars, 2,000 acrobats and six jet planes.

Clarkson, who issued an apology to Meghan and Harry, had said ITV and Amazon were ‘incandescent’ about his comments.

The Triggerpoint broadcaster stressed that Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? does not welcome Clarkson’s controversial views.

In a letter to MP John Nicolson, head of ITV Carlyn McCall explained that Clarkson’s views are ‘in no way endorsed by ITV’, adding that his role as host of the show ‘does not provide a platform for his opinions’.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan shared their dissatisfaction over Clarkson’s apology, slamming his ‘pattern of spreading hate rhetoric.’

In a statement, they said: ‘On December 25, 2022, Mr Clarkson wrote solely to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.

They continued: ‘While a new public apology has been issued today by Mr Clarkson, what remains to be addressed is his long standing pattern of writing articles that spread hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories, and misogyny.

More: Trending

‘Unless each of his other pieces were also written “in a hurry”, as he states, it is clear that this is not an isolated incident shared in haste, but rather a series of articles shared in hate.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Amazon for comment.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Jeremy Clarkson’s vile Meghan Markle views have ‘no place on ITV’ warns boss after ‘Amazon axe’

MORE : Richard Hammond trolled by daughter after losing job over Jeremy Clarkson row

Entertainment – MetroRead More