Richard Hammond criticised over icecream 'gay' joke

James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson Credit: PA

TV presenter Richard Hammond has come under fire after trying to joke that eating icecream is homosexual.

Speaking to fellow The Grand Tour host Jeremy Clarkson, he said: "It's all right, I don't eat ice cream. It's something to do with being straight."

He made the remark in front of an audience after Clarkson said: "The only problem is that in one of those [a Rolls Royce], you couldn't enjoy a chocolate Magnum ice cream."

The audience clapped after his reply, but Clarkson asked: "Why are you applauding him? What do you mean?

"You're saying all children are homosexual?"

Hammond responded: "What? What? Ice cream is a bit - you know...

"There's nothing wrong with it, but a grown man eating an ice cream - it's that way, rather than that way."

The show, which aired on 23 December, has been criticised by viewers.