Top Gear has steered clear of more controversy after broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it would not take action over viewers’ complaints about bad language in the motoring show.

The show on March 1 attracted 11 complaints about “mild offensive language” before the watershed and another seven about a discussion on animal experiments.

A spokesman for Ofcom said: “We carefully assessed a number of complaints about offensive language and comments in this show and have decided not to take the issues forward for further investigation.

Top Gear
James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear (BBC)

“In our view the use of some mild offensive language was consistent with audience expectations for this well-established series.”

The watchdog also received 133 complaints about the suspension of host Jeremy Clarkson and subsequent episodes not being screened, but they were not taken further because they were not covered in Ofcom’s remit.

The show has previously fallen foul of Ofcom – last year it was censured for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a “racial” term during the programme’s Burma special.