Top Gear fans praise Patagonia special as Argentina rages at airing of controversial show

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson was accused of "glossing over the truth" during the programme, while local media also accused the show's producers of "poking fun" at the South American country.

The second instalment of the 120-minute Top Gear special followed Clarkson and his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May as they travelled through Chile and Argentina in V8-engine sports cars.

Enraged locals threw rocks and chased the Top Gear team to the border after it emerged Clarkson's car was carrying a licence plate that read 'H982 FKL' – which many felt was a reference to the 1982 Falklands War that left hundreds dead.

Following the BBC broadcast last night, radio station Radio Fuegina - in Argentina's southern Tierra del Fuego region – blasted the “doubtful credibility” of the episode.

Meanwhile, leading daily newspaper Clarin accused Clarkson of continuing to strain the relationship between Britain and Argentina.

It dubbed the BBC’s Top Gear special "the programme of controversy".

Rival newspaper La Nacion also reported: “The BBC broadcast the Top Gear programme that poked fun at Argentinians over the Malvinas.”

Argentine news channel TN headlined its coverage by stating: "They broadcast the controversial programme."

Also referring to the Falklands by their Argentine name, it added: "Despite the Argentine government’s protests, the BBC broadcast the second part of the Top Gear programme filmed in Patagonia. 

"They showed the team fleeing after the provocation over the Malvinas."

The tense reaction to the show continued across social media in Argentina.

One Facebook commenter wrote: "I go to Patagonia twice a year to fish and I have thousands of photos.

"I don’t need these Top Gear clowns to enjoy the naturalness of what thank God is Argentinian and not pirate-owned.

"I’m sure they made this programme out of envy because of the rubbish country they have and the fact they like rubbishing everyone else."

But British fans of the controversial motoring show rushed to the defence of Top Gear last night.

Zander Smith tweeted: "Horrible behaviour from the Argentinians on #TopGear... Argentinian government and people should be ashamed".

Another fan tweeted: "that looked terrifying. 

"Utter disgrace and such a shame as the rest of Argentina looked stunning."

Another tweet hailed the "brave" Top Gear team  for facing the flurry of stones thrown at them by enraged locals, adding: "Seriously worried for the #TopGear crew as I was watching it. how brave are those guys."

Clarkson, Hammond and May later cut their trip short with an unscheduled flight to Argentina's capital Buenos Aires.

In October, Argentina's ambassador to the UK, Alicia Castro, met with BBC director of television Danny Cohen to demand a public apology over the Top Gear row.

Ms Castro also penned an open letter to BBC Trust Chairman Rona Fairhead in which she labelled Clarkson "offensive".

However, the BBC refused to apologise, as they supported Clarkson's claims that the numberplate on his car was a coincidence and not a "deliberate act" of provocation.

Fans also pointed out a joke by Clarkson who appeared to be making light of an Ofcom ruling over his use of the racial slur "slope" during the show's Christmas special last year.

The controversial presenter admired a makeshift bridge during the Christmas special and said: "That is a proud moment, Hammond, but... is it straight?"

Many took this as a sly reference to an episode in March when Clarkson commented on another makeshift bridge as a man walked on the structure over the River Kwai.

"That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it," the controversial host could be heard saying.