Chris Evans has apologised "unreservedly" after scenes for the new Top Gear series were filmed near the Cenotaph in central London.
Host Matt Le Blanc was seen driving around Westminster as shooting took place for the new series of the BBC Two show, which is due to air in May.
Pictures showing the car near the war memorial in Whitehall were criticised as "gravely disrespectful" by retired Colonel Richard Kemp.
He told the Telegraph: "This is a sacred tribute to millions of people who have done far more for their country than Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc ever will."
He added: "Jeremy Clarkson was certainly no saint but I don't believe he would have ever performed a stunt in such bad taste."
Speaking on his Radio 2 breakfast show, Evans, who took over presenting the show after Clarkson was sacked for hitting a producer, said: "I would like to apologise unreservedly."