The BBC has denied any discrimination after gay couples expressed outrage claiming Top Gear has "banned" them from studio recordings of the show.

Same sex couples are prevented from joining the TV audience under a bizarre rule that stipulates bookings must be "50 per cent male and 50 per cent female".

However a BBC spokesperson has dismissed the ban: "We do not – absolutely do not – discriminate against same sex couples," she said. "The whole implication that Top Gear is in any way homophobic is completely wrong."

The issue came to light after Simon Reeves and his partner were turned down when they applied for audience tickets. "I couldn't believe it," he told the Daily Mirror.

"Top Gear is the blokiest show on telly, but we weren't allowed unless we took a couple of female friends.

"It sounds like something Jeremy Clarkson came up with to ensure he didn't have to put up with any gays."

Presenter Clarkson was rapped by Ofcom in 2007 for making a homophobic remark on the programme. He described a car as "a bit gay.... very ginger beer".

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, told the Daily Mirror: "It's very odd, but what do you expect from pigs that grunt? Regrettably, with Jeremy Clarkson involved, it's not surprising. The show itself is full of stereotyping of both men and women – but it's funded by gay and lesbian licence fee cash as well as everyone else's."

Conversely the BBC spokesperson said: "The decision to have a balance of men and women in the audience was taken by the BBC back in 2002. Jeremy had nothing to do with it."

What do you think, is this discrimination?