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An Asian film star has launched an £1 million racism claim against the BBC over Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘slope on a bridge’ jibe in a Top Gear special from Burma.

The controversy-seeking motor mouth made the off-the-cuff remark as the camera trained across a bridge the trio had built for a challenge to cross the River Kwai.

“That is a proud moment, but there’s a slope on it”, he deadpanned as an Asian man walked into the frame.

The word ‘slope’ is considered a derogatory term for Asian people. It led to an immediate backlash on Twitter when the episode was broadcast, with one viewer describing it as “not big, not clever, not funny”.

Another wrote: “Unbelievable that @BBC_TopGear are allowed to broadcast such racist and disrespectful rubbish so proudly on the #bbc’.”

Indian-born actress Somi Guha, 36, is taking legal action for unlawful discrimination by a public body. Her lawyers claim the BBC could face £1 million in damages under equality laws unless it apologises and takes the motoring show off the air.

In her formal written complaint to the BBC Ms Guha, who starred in 2006 hit movie Children of Men and lives in Tower Hamlets, east London, wrote: “Casual racism in the media by established BBC stalwarts is constantly brushed aside. Discrimination within the industry is accepted. Racial profiling of roles is accepted and expected.

“I find it offensive that Jeremy Clarkson refers to people of different races in pejorative terms. What is that saying to children who watch him? That it’s okay to bully and make racist comments. Jeremy Clarkson has made derogatory comments about Mexicans. Now he bullies an Asian person. It has to stop.”

Ms Guha’s lawyers have written to BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten demanding the show is stopped while an investigation is launched.

Lawrence Davies, from solicitors Equal Justice, said: “The BBC refuses to tackle serial offender Jeremy Clarkson. The BBC defends his behaviour as British humour but it is offensive, casual racism being used to boost ratings.”

The firm also represented Mexican student Iris de la Torre when she accused co-presenter Richard Hammond of making bigoted comments about her countrymen.

Hammond branded Mexicans ‘lazy, feckless and flatulent’ while Clarkson claimed its ambassador to the UK would not complain because he would be snoring in front of his television at the embassy.

Mexican ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza did then made a formal complaint to the BBC but Ms de la Torres’s complaint was dropped after she received an apology from the broadcaster.

The TV show, renowned for its schoolboy humour and audacious stunts, is no stranger to controversy.

Earlier this year, Clarkson was forced to apologise for posting a picture of himself asleep on a plane, with a sign with the words ‘ gay c**t’ written on it, and an arrow pointed at himself.

A BBC spokeswoman for Top Gear said gave no comment on Ms Guha’s action.