The cast and crew of long running British TV show Top Gear had to flee Argentina after a misunderstanding over a plate number prompted Argentinians to riot.

The team used a Porsche with the plate number H982-FLK, which some Army veterans and politicians suggested was meant to be a reference to the 1982 Falkland Wars.

The cast and crew had to abandon their cars by the roadside after a mob pelted them with stones. Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson said the mob shouted ‘burn their cars’ then proceeded to try to attack them with pick axes.

“I’ve been to Iraq and Afghanistan, but this was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever been involved in.” Mr Clarkson said when recounting the frightening ordeal.“There were hundreds of them. They were hurling rocks and bricks at our cars.”

The BBC has clarified that the plate numbers were merely coincidental and were not deliberately chosen. Mr Clarkson claims, “The number plate was a coincidence. When it was pointed out to us, we changed it.”