Even the very best five star annual breakdown cover would not have been able to assist the clapped out cars chosen by Clarkson and co in the recent Top Gear Christmas Special – filmed in India. And such a policy would certainly not cover the Top Gear team and the BBC against the fallout now emanating from the Indian Government.

India has lodged a complaint with the BBC regarding the way Indian culture was lampooned in the recent Top Gear show. While the show is well known for pushing the boundaries of TV comedy, the way India was portrayed in the show appeared to incense many Indians.

Ironically, the show set out – jokingly of course – to boost trade between India and the UK, in what the Prime Minister recently stated was one of the most important trade links the UK has. But instead of creating a light-hearted show that looks at the more comic sides of famous British exports and of modern Indian culture, the show seems to have played up to some national stereotypes a little too much.

The PM will no doubt be a little hot under the collar, since he is seen in the show waving the Top Gear trio off, and warning: “stay away from India”. After learning of the Indian Government’s displeasure with the TV show, the PM has attempted to distance himself from the hit programme, stating he did not like the show “at all”.

Time will tell if the humble Top Gear Christmas Special has managed to sour vital UK-India trade links!