LONDON (AP) — The BBC has apologized to Mexico's ambassador for remarks on its "Top Gear" program that described Mexicans as lazy.
The BBC wrote to Ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza on Thursday, saying that national stereotyping is part of British humor — and that the presenters did not intend to be vindictive.
The statement says the presenters on its top-rated show make jokes about the British being terrible cooks and terrible romantics, for example, as well as cracks about a host of other nationalities.
"Top Gear" presenters Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May are known for frequent and irreverent quips.
The BBC received thousands of complaints about the anti-Mexican comments, particularly from people outside of Britain.
