But if you look at the footage you can see what I'm trying to do.' It was my mistake and I apologise for not covering it up.

'I was simply mumbling - saying 'ner ner' or something similar, anything but the n-word. He told The Sun: 'I wish to God that my attempts to cover up that word were better than they were. The presenter became embroiled in a racism row following claims that he used the n-word while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny Moe while shooting an episode of the BBC Two programme.

Jeremy Clarkson has said he 'wishes to God' that his attempts to cover up a racist word during filming for Top Gear had been better.