Jeremy Clarkson calls out Liam Gallagher’s ‘ridiculous’ accent while sharing thoughts on Manchester

Jeremy Clarkson has stirred up a bit of controversy with a recent remark about the Manchester accent, using Liam Gallagher as an example of what he dislikes about Mancunians.

In his latest column for The Sunday Times, the former Top Gear host opened up about his long tenure as the host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and shared some unexpected thoughts about the city of Manchester. Clarkson revealed that while he was thrilled to be offered the job, his excitement was initially dampened when he discovered the quiz show would be filmed in Manchester.

He humorously recalled his reaction: “When I was offered the chance to host Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, I immediately signed the contract and then ran around in little circles, grabbing my tinkle and squeaking.” His enthusiasm was palpable—he loved quiz shows, and Millionaire was the biggest and best. But his excitement quickly turned to disappointment when he learned the show would be filmed across the Pennines.

Clarkson, who hails from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, noted the natural rivalry that exists between people from his side of the Pennines and those from the opposite side, specifically Manchester. He explained that this rivalry is ingrained, even if it isn’t born out of malice. “It’s true, of course, that no one is born racist,” Clarkson wrote. “People from Yorkshire, like me, are born with an instinctive dislike of people from the other side of the Pennines. The wet side. The gloomy side. The miserable side.”

However, it was the Mancunian accent that he took aim at next. Describing it as the worst of all northern accents, Clarkson didn’t hold back. “The side where everyone speaks with that stupid accent. If you’re going to sound northern, have the decency to talk like Sean Bean or Mark Knopfler, not Liam bloody Gallagher.” The swipe was clearly aimed at the Oasis frontman, whose distinctive Mancunian accent has become synonymous with the city.

Despite his initial aversion to Manchester and its accent, Clarkson’s feelings about the city have changed over time. After spending eight years traveling to Manchester for the filming of Millionaire, Clarkson admitted that his opinion of the city had evolved. “I’ve been going to Manchester for eight years now to record the show, and I must admit, it’s been steadily growing on me,” he confessed. “I came to not mind it, and then I started to like it, and now—drum roll, please—I think it might be better than London.”

Clarkson’s newfound fondness for Manchester, despite his initial reservations, marks a surprising twist in his relationship with the city. Still, the outspoken star hasn’t entirely put his old grudges behind him, as evidenced by his pointed remark about the Mancunian accent.

In addition to his Millionaire duties, Clarkson continues to captivate audiences with his popular Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, where he showcases his life at the Diddly Squat Farm alongside his girlfriend Lisa Hogan. The series has given viewers an inside look at Clarkson’s foray into farming, a venture that’s proven both hilarious and unexpectedly heartfelt.

While Clarkson’s relationship with Manchester may have improved, it seems his fondness for its accent—particularly as embodied by Gallagher—still has a long way to go.