Pretty much, although I'll admit to not seeing much about it on the various forms of media over in the past day or so (maybe that says something anyway?). I'm not necessarily defending JC, but if he was getting pelters for spitting at someone, I'd expect Ant to be getting double or triple the...
It was a throwaway comment meant partly in jest and I'll admit I HAVEN'T seen lots of outrage, although I haven't gone looking for it. My immediate reaction when I heard about it was that I guessed he wouldn't get suspended from his job for it...