Top Gear series 10

Criticism and incident

Following the broadcast of the Botswana Special, the BBC received heavy criticism from the Environmental Investigation Agency and conservationists regarding a section in which the presenters drove used cars across the Makgadikgadi Pan. A spokesperson from the agency criticised Top Gear being allowed to film in environmentally sensitive salt pans, and conservationists accused the programme of leaving "scars across the Makgadikgadi salt pans by driving vehicles across them." The BBC denied the accusation, stating that they had followed the advice of environmental experts and had not filmed near any conservation area on the salt pans.

During the premiere episode, the presenters claimed that rival motoring magazine show Fifth Gear had broken into their premises and burnt down all their props. A fire had occurred on 12 August 2007 at Hill End Farm, destroying a barn used as a storage facility for Top Gear props. The episode showed the Cool Wall and all its car photos destroyed, and the car seats and flat screen monitor replaced with wingback chairs and an old TV. It was later revealed that the incident was a publicity stunt dreamt up between Clarkson and Vicki Butler-Henderson, who were old friends.