A British television host is receiving a barrage of criticism for linking eating ice cream with being gay.
Richard Hammond, one of the co-hosts of The Grand Tour, made the comments during filming of the sixth episode of the show, which was released on Amazon Prime on Dec. 23.
In front of a live audience, co-host Jeremy Clarkson pointed to a picture of the interior of a Rolls Royce, saying, “The only problem is that in one of those, you couldn’t enjoy a chocolate Magnum ice cream.”
Hammond responded: “It’s all right, I don’t eat ice cream. It’s something to do with being straight.”
Clarkson and co-host James May appeared perplexed, asking Hammond if he thought all children were gay, to which Hammond replied “no.”
“Ice cream is a bit, you know… There’s nothing wrong with it, but a grown man eating an ice cream, you know, it’s a bit…it’s that way, rather than that way,” Hammond continued. “I’m right. I can’t believe you can’t see that. It’s easy. It’s right in front of you.”
Twitter exploded over the host’s comments:
We lost Prince, Bowie and Michael in a year where Richard Hammond can't eat ice cream in fear of damaging his fragile & pathetic masculinity
— Dean Eastmond (@deanvictorr) December 27, 2016
Hey @RichardHammond, it doesn't matter what flavour you prefer, ice cream is for everyone!
— Wall's Ice Cream (@walls) December 27, 2016
I'm too confused by where @RichardHammond is coming from to be offended. Since when did ice cream dictate sexual orientation?
— Robert Whitted (@ROBfromVA) December 27, 2016
Some even made light of Hammond’s ridiculous logic:
Richard Hammond frantically bats a Calippo out of his son's grasp. It is too late. His son jazz hands his way to the sandpit.
— Jon Aitken (@jonbehere) December 27, 2016
I call this dessert 'The Richard Hammond.' pic.twitter.com/1UEnWFAwoL
— Mr Roger Quimbly (@RogerQuimbly) December 27, 2016
So @RichardHammond – Cauliflower Cheese. Any opinions?
— Chris Lewis (@ceekayell) December 27, 2016
@RichardHammond you trying to tell us something? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZTgl6khDn8
— issy (@issyhumph) December 27, 2016
Coming soon from Richard Hammond: the full sexuality/dessert correlation guide!
tiramisu = bisexual
baked alaska = asexual
the list goes on!— GenderBen (@GenderBen) December 27, 2016
See the clip of Hammond’s remarks below, courtesy of radio producer Ollie Cole:
🤗 hello & here's the full richard hammond 'ice creams are gay' piece and yeah, it's awful pic.twitter.com/JhDisRsc1Q
— Ollie Cole (@ProducerOllie) December 26, 2016
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