Ben Pawlowski
FOR many visitors it is one of Spain’s best hidden gems, renowned for its medieval old town, the world’s oldest functioning Roman lighthouse and jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic coast.
But for Jeremy Clarkson, the straight-talking British TV presenter best known for spearheading the popular car programme Top Gear across four different decades, the city of A Coruña is ‘one of the worst places [he’s] ever been to’.
The self-confessed petrolhead made the comments at a Q&A session last year following a private screening of the final episode of The Grand Tour, the Amazon-made show presented by the former Top Gear trio of Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
Asked by an audience member the worst place he had visited while filming, the outspoken motoring journalist turned country farmer told the crowd La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, before adding the Galician port city and Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city situated in the province of Lapland.
He gave no reason for his decision, but the comments have provoked fierce debate on social media.
READ MORE: Spain has its own little-known ‘Route 66’ road trip that finishes in Galicia
One Irish expat made fun of Clarkson’s remarks, sarcastically tweeting: “He’s absolutely right, don’t come and visit – nothing to see here, dreadful place.”
Another user said ‘I tell you, he doesn’t have a clue’, while one local added: “Galicia is by far the best place in Spain […] better this way so we don’t get invaded by tourists and annoying foreigners.”
Almost one million tourists visited the wider metropolitan A Coruña area in 2024 – although the figures are modest in comparison to other Spanish cities, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga or Santiago de Compostela.
Clarkson, 65, is no stranger to making comments that land him in hot water.
While appearing on BBC’S The One Show in 2011, Clarkson said, “I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families,” referring to public sector workers taking strike action against austerity cuts in the UK.
In 2013 and 2014, Clarkson was almost sacked twice after two separate incidents involving racial slurs while filming.
He was eventually fired a year later after he punched Oisin Tymon, a producer, after an argument over a lack of hot food on set.
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With this background it is amazing that he is given press time. Waste all around.
You don’t have to like or agree with other people’s opinions but it is very important ( in the interests of freedom of speech) that they are given the opportunity to express them .
True true
There are always celebrities sharing their opinions, it’s an editorial decision which are choosen to publish. Clarkson probably had a tantrum when stuck behind a camper van in A Coruña, it’s a fine city.
I wouldn’t take Jeremy too seriously. He’s at the age when he needs public attention. Galicia is a wonderland. But don’t tell anyone, because I’d rather like keeping it tourist free for me!