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Richard Hammond silent on criticism after saying eating ice cream is "gay"

An LGBT group said the words were “chosen purposefully to mock and belittle”.

STARI @producerollie @producerollie

THEY MAY NOT be on Top Gear anymore, but the former Top Gear lads are still able to cause uproar with their “banter”.

Presenter Richard Hammond is in hot water today for saying that he doesn’t eat ice cream, because he’s “straight”.

In a segment of The Grand Tour (their new show on Amazon Prime) with co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Hammond responds to Clarkson saying you couldn’t enjoy a chocolate Magnum inside a particular car, telling him

It’s alright, I don’t eat ice cream. It’s got something to do with being straight.

[Audience laughs]

Clarkson and May look bemused at his answer, with Clarkson asking:

Are you saying everyone who likes ice cream… you’re saying all children are [mutters] homosexual?

[More audience laughing]

Hammond counters:

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.

[Makes gestures with hands]

A spokesman for LGBT equality charity Stonewall told The Guardian that Hammond’s choice of words was “chosen purposefully to mock and belittle”.

Online, the comment got a lot of people are annoyed, and the digs are coming in thick and fast.

Hammond has yet to respond to the criticism.

Read: Matt LeBlanc told Graham Norton all about his run-in with a hen party in Kerry

Read: Why is there such a tiny selection on Amazon Prime in Ireland?

Written by Emer McLysaght and posted on DailyEdge.ie

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79 Comments
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    Mute Larry Fitzwell
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    Dec 27th 2016, 2:52 PM

    If this offends you, turn off TV, radio and Internet after 6pm because you going to have a long evening of getting offended otherwise.

    365
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    Mute Bob Moore
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:59 PM

    @Larry Fitzwell:

    http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/blog/two-scoops-homophobia

    Hammond encourages resentment and hostility. You getting offended by the reaction isn’t helpful.

    22
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    Mute mcgoo
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    Dec 27th 2016, 2:59 PM

    I’ve got some news to break to my wife this evening then.

    331
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    Mute Joey Westland
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:43 PM

    @mcgoo: Comedian Stewart Lee nails Richard Hammond and the Top Gear buffoons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRrTMhAO4ac

    50
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    Mute Mumpsimus
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    Dec 27th 2016, 2:54 PM

    Oh no!! people on twitter were offended , what ever will we do. Jesus do people ever take a break

    311
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    Mute John Fergus
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    Dec 27th 2016, 2:56 PM

    People getting offended and bent out of shape over nothing.

    249
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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:09 PM

    >>>>bent<<<<
    Someone call the thought police.

    173
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    Mute Bill Madden
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:16 PM

    Have an ide the thought police are not part of the LGBTQ crowd but are as straight a a rail track. Me thinks the LG crowd are for to busy to be sitting at a keyboard concerned what Hammond and his ilk are saying!

    24
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    Mute declan leonard
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:00 PM

    Such a non story. The world is gone pc mad

    188
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Dec 27th 2016, 2:56 PM

    Am I to understand straight men don’t eat ice cream… why, because it’s full of carbs and they have a figure to maintain?

    165
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    Mute Setrakian
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:32 PM

    Are people really upset with his comment? That’s ridiculous. I love ice cream – the gayer the better!! F**k PC bulls*it – seriously.

    153
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    Mute king Jamie
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    Dec 27th 2016, 6:56 PM

    Personally, I love a big rock had flake stuck in my vanilla

    24
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    Mute Daisy Chai NSaw
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    Dec 27th 2016, 9:35 PM
    1
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    Mute Eamonn
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:08 PM

    This kind of stuff is why the world is rebelling against this PC nonsense. And why people like Trump get elected. Liberals will be the authors of their own demise.

    147
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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:05 PM

    I’ve watched a couple of episodes and thought they were a tough watch; some really lame jokes and sketches that dragged on and on. There was a skit where they were on an assault course in Jordan and it was one of the worst 20min of tv I’ve seen.

    145
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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:31 PM

    @Malvolio32: It’s a bit gay alright.

    91
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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Dec 27th 2016, 5:59 PM

    I honestly think a few of the Chris Evans top gear episodes were better than GT. There is a lot to like about how clarkson, may and Hammond do things but the set ups are cringe. I’ll keep watching it for the car stuff but I’ve found myself knocking forward in the Amazon 10 second jumps for big chunks of them…

    20
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    Mute Gary Stewart
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    Dec 28th 2016, 1:18 AM

    There’s car Stuff? That must be why they’re at pains to say it’s a motoring show at least once an episode then proceed to show no more cars. It’s been very poor so far, best part of it is the American driver he’s actually had one or two genuinely funny lines.

    2
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    Mute Thomas Finlass
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:00 PM

    I have 3 tubs of vanilla Haagen Dazs in the freezer…….I’m wondering now is my marriage a sham?

    119
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    Mute Dean Burroughs
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    Dec 27th 2016, 5:17 PM

    @Thomas Finlass: 3 tubs?? I’d be more worried about diabetes if I was you.

    82
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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    Dec 27th 2016, 6:32 PM

    @Dean, only if he eats them in one go, he’s probably just stocking up for an ice cream shortage

    19
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    Mute Declan Moran
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:18 PM

    Sick to the teeth now of everyone getting offended with everything. Lighten up ffs and try have a laugh, it doesn’t hurt you know

    112
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    Mute GunsGerms
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:57 PM

    Seems like you are getting offended yourself?

    54
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    Mute Dave Sherman
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:07 PM

    I’m sure Richard Hammond won’t be offended if we all call him the arsehole he is.

    110
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    Mute Daisy Chai NSaw
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:35 PM

    @Dave Sherman: Call him a short arsehole and he’ll lose his shit like a jack russell barking at a Labrador.

    62
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    Mute Minom Pnom
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    Dec 28th 2016, 9:35 AM

    27 short arses read your comment Daisy

    3
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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:10 PM

    It seems that LGBTQ4x4TURBODIESEL2.5TDI crowd are very easily offended.

    99
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    Mute yildun
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:05 PM

    That LGBT crowd are a bit flaky The hate people taking the pistachio out of them

    93
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    Mute Bill Madden
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:11 PM

    @ yikdu I’m highly offended you don’t ad “Q” to that. Ffs

    44
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Dec 28th 2016, 2:31 PM

    @yildun: Or are they just a golden shower lol.

    1
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    Mute Lorraine Nolan
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:02 PM

    Seriously who cares what Richard Hammond thinks

    77
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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:06 PM

    Millions of lads who love fast cars and women.

    26
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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:47 PM

    Millions of insecure short-arses with faces like fourteen year- olds

    58
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    Mute Tomás Ó Briain
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    Dec 27th 2016, 7:47 PM

    Seriously, who said that Hammond could think? If he could think would he be seen in the company of that twerp Clarkson?

    21
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    Mute Brendan Hill
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:40 PM

    I think the most offensive part of it is that he thinks he is being funny. The joke was lame. Steve Coogan’s article, from a few years ago, on the top gear boys nailed them. Eating ice cream is gay, ffs, good gag if you are 8.

    74
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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:07 PM

    Gay people watch Top Gear?
    Cmon, who believes that one?

    69
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    Mute Ian Phillip Creaner
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:22 PM

    Oh Eunoch Burke. You were almost funny there for a mo. Keep trying.

    25
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    Mute Greg Kelly
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:35 PM

    Alex, stereotype much?

    17
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    Mute Bob Moore
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    Dec 27th 2016, 5:26 PM

    @Alex Falcone:

    Cos gay people like ice cream and don’t like fast cars, you reptilian Daily Mail reading hick.

    11
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Dec 28th 2016, 2:31 PM

    @Alex Falcone: Could be bottom gear really lol.

    1
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    Mute mickmc
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:13 PM

    Well sure Hammond is entitled to his opinion as well as the next person.

    68
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    Mute Tony Hardwicke
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    Dec 27th 2016, 2:51 PM

    Gobby chav

    50
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    Mute Jon Mackey
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    Dec 27th 2016, 5:55 PM

    All the repressed homosexuals in the comments section here, slapping each other on the back for their witty comments wearing their rugby jersey and bottle of bud in hand.

    #manlyasfvck

    15
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    Mute Axl
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:31 PM

    There’s rules to eating ice cream like how wide you open your mouth , making eye contact with people while eating , how fast you eat it and so on. This should all be thought to children from the very start so they don’t turn into raging gays

    46
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    Mute Brian Lilly
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:28 PM

    PC gone mad in my opinion. Probably a PR stunt anyway.

    40
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    Mute Keith Wizzy
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:58 PM

    Straights should stay away from ice cream so there’s more for us gays.

    35
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    Mute Teddy
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:03 PM

    Maybe if he said “I don’t eat sausages because I am straight”then maybe the lbgt would complain.

    35
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    Mute Daisy Chai NSaw
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:30 PM

    @Teddy: Of course he eats sausage. There’s nothing more heterosexual than chomping down on meaty pig entrails.

    23
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    Mute Joe
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:38 PM

    @Teddy: But if he said I eat sausage (or any other foodstuff) because I am gay, it would be hilarious.

    15
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    Mute Teddy
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:56 PM

    @joe.yes it would be hilarious,Get a sense of humor,

    7
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    Mute Rosa Parks
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:15 PM

    I don’t think he meant any harm but it was an odd thing to say. Maybe he’s only seen a pink Magnum from the Seven Sins series. Remember those. BTW bring them back please.

    33
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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:22 PM

    @Rosa Parks:
    Pure publicity stunt.
    I watched it and the whole thing looked staged, Clarkson teeing it up for him with the Magnum reference.
    Then the ‘Evil Ogre’ Jeremy calling him out on it and appealing to the crowd.
    Ridiculous.

    33
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    Mute Ace
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:56 PM

    @Alex Falcone: It is a scripted show, of course it is set up.

    I like the show, but as jokes go it was unfunny. Not because it was homophobic , it was just not a good joke.

    21
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    Mute David Thomas
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:43 PM

    I’m pretty sure Tom Sellack was starting in magnum before the ice cream was invented.

    32
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    Mute Brian MacCarthaigh
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:11 PM

    Silly British humor is all it is.

    30
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    Mute Paul Mc Manus
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:11 PM

    God!! That’s so gay. Lighten up ffs

    26
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    Mute John Corcoran
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    Dec 27th 2016, 6:16 PM

    I can’t believe anyone could take this nonsense seriously enough to be offended. I can’t work out who are the bigger fools, Hammond for uttering such palpable nonsense , or the self righteous LGBT (not Q too?) group who were prepared to send out an “outraged” press release about it. It’s a pretty close call.

    23
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    Mute James Onedin
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:21 PM

    For a small man, Hammond sure has a big mouth. But seriously, please tell me no one is actually going to pass any heed of short-arse, are they?

    20
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    Mute Donal O'Brien
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    Dec 27th 2016, 6:11 PM

    Ice cream is for everyone. Except vegans.

    19
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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:35 PM

    It has to be one of life’s greatest mystery, Richard Hammond being considered to have any talent. The only bit of good news regarding clarkesons departure from Top Gear was his little side kick going as well. Completely annoying, clueless and vomit enducing to listen too and watch it’s beggars belief he remains on the team now on Amazon. His latest comment is no doubt part of a drive to reminds us he is still around, sadly.

    18
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    Mute Daisy Chai NSaw
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:33 PM

    The Amazon Prime free trial month must have ended so they had to pull a stupid stunt to generate some publicity, now that they don’t have the BBC to rely on for income.

    18
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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:36 PM

    @Daisy Chai NSaw:
    Well they’ve certainly succeeded given the amount of oxygen the story is being given.

    14
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    Mute JustMade Ireland
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    Dec 27th 2016, 3:26 PM

    What i find more shocking is the sly and quite remarks they make about gay people on TV if this was done with other people. It would not be allowed.

    17
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    Mute Alan Hughes
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:54 PM

    God who cares????? We all know hes not actually homophibic its just a stupid comment.

    15
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    Mute The_Techno_Mage
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    Dec 27th 2016, 5:06 PM

    Why Trump won 101.

    13
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    Mute Adrian Connolly
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:56 PM

    I watched it the other night and had a feeling there would be a fall out afterwards. Throughout the series they are pushing boundaries on what they can say because its internet based and I’m guessing is not subject to the same broadcasting rules as terrestrial television. The statement about eating ice cream being gay is one thing but the whole conversation that followed wasn’t even funny and I’m sure they only carried on with it to be controversial. The show in itself is quite OK but the unscripted sections can be quite poor . Frankie Boyle is controversial but is funny. These guys are trying to be the same but fail, in my opinion.

    13
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    Mute Gerry Fallon
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:22 PM

    What sort of a gobda is he. And anyway why are people paying attention to what this knobend says anyway.what a ridiculous comment to make.I just don’t get it,do you?

    12
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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Dec 27th 2016, 7:08 PM

    And once again, Journal.ie wins in the Clickbait Stakes.

    12
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    Mute John Mullan
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:04 PM

    If only that Dragster was going a bit faster

    11
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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Dec 27th 2016, 4:08 PM

    @John Mullan:
    Frankie Boyle.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui5eUpF3iQQ

    6
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    Mute mad_fluffy
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    Dec 27th 2016, 5:17 PM

    The 3 of them are the biggest idiots who believe every they say is funny.. and whatever either of them come out with will be accepted… why anyone bothers to watch them is amazing. ..clowns

    11
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    Mute Aaron Gibson
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    Dec 27th 2016, 7:35 PM

    Snowflakes

    7
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    Mute Mercurial One
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    Dec 27th 2016, 8:06 PM

    Really, is eating ice cream Gay! Bad news for Ben and Jerry, I guess.

    6
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    Mute Bob Moore
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    Dec 27th 2016, 5:01 PM

    Hammond’s words are commonplace for young people in the playground or classroom, despite the fact that he chose them very purposefully and is, apparently, a ‘grown man’.

    So thanks, Richard. Thanks for mocking and belittling our community.

    http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/blog/two-scoops-homophobia

    It’s basically bullying, but they always select weak targets, as all bullies do.

    6
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    Mute Warthog
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    Dec 27th 2016, 8:05 PM

    @Bob Moore:
    Now that sure is a “gay” as in funny comment! So it is not only feminazis who suffer from a persecution complex and “Victimhood”? Grow up. The word gay is not owned by the LGBT crowd. Jasus you lot are a bundle of laughs! Happy New Year, hope it’s a gay one!

    9
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    Mute John Flood
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    Dec 27th 2016, 7:10 PM

    The Amazon Three Stooges are buffoons, worse than three year old brats. Glad I skipped getting Prime.

    5
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    Mute Dessie Deratta
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    Dec 28th 2016, 1:25 AM

    Hammond is gay.

    3
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    Mute Guybrush Threepwood
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    Dec 27th 2016, 10:44 PM

    Kind of comment that suits him since he’s been going through a mid-life crisis for most of his life. Now there’s an example of someone who lives his life according to his own countless insecurities.

    2
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Dec 28th 2016, 2:29 PM

    I was out drinking years ago and there was a group of 20somethings and every third word they said was gay… nearly, it seemed to have become part of daily language for some reason?

    1
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