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Forsyth says 'Du Beke was wrong' Forsyth says 'Du Beke was wrong'
(22 minutes later)
Bruce Forsyth has said he does not "condone" racist language, following his recent comments about the Strictly Come Dancing race row. Bruce Forsyth has stressed he does not "excuse or condone" racism after an interview in which he said the Strictly race row was being taken too seriously.
On Wednesday he said fans should have a "sense of humour" over Anton Du Beke calling actress Laila Rouass a "Paki". Forsyth told Talksport radio people should have a "sense of humour" over Anton Du Beke's use of the term "Paki".
But in a statement on Thursday, Forsyth said: "To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable."But in a statement on Thursday, Forsyth said: "To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable."
Du Beke's comments have prompted 487 complaints to the BBC from viewers. Du Beke's comments prompted 487 complaints from viewers.
'Personal views'
Forsyth's previous comments were made on Talksport radio on Wednesday.Forsyth's previous comments were made on Talksport radio on Wednesday.
In Thursday's statement he said : "I have been asked by a number of journalists to clarify what I meant and am therefore issuing this statement via the BBC, though I must emphasise that these are my personal views and not necessarily those of the BBC.In Thursday's statement he said : "I have been asked by a number of journalists to clarify what I meant and am therefore issuing this statement via the BBC, though I must emphasise that these are my personal views and not necessarily those of the BBC.
"What Anton said to Laila was wrong and he has apologised unreservedly for this."What Anton said to Laila was wrong and he has apologised unreservedly for this.
"Nor do I in any way excuse or condone the use of such language. To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable."Nor do I in any way excuse or condone the use of such language. To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable.
"However, there is a major difference between this and racist comments which are malicious in intent and whilst I accept that we live in a world of extraordinary political correctness, we should keep things in perspective.""However, there is a major difference between this and racist comments which are malicious in intent and whilst I accept that we live in a world of extraordinary political correctness, we should keep things in perspective."
Anton Du Beke has apologised to dance partner Laila Rouass
There have been calls for professional dancer Du Beke to be sacked after he admitted calling his show partner, actress Laila Rouass, a "Paki".There have been calls for professional dancer Du Beke to be sacked after he admitted calling his show partner, actress Laila Rouass, a "Paki".
Speaking on Talksport, Forsyth says that in the past the "slip up" would have been treated in a more light-hearted way. Speaking on Talksport, Forsyth had said that in the past the "slip up" would have been treated in a more light-hearted way.
"You go back 25, 30, 40 years and there has always been a bit of humour about the whole thing.""You go back 25, 30, 40 years and there has always been a bit of humour about the whole thing."
The Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC Radio 5 live said they had received a record 600 calls regarding Forsyth's comments.The Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC Radio 5 live said they had received a record 600 calls regarding Forsyth's comments.
Most of the callers said they thought the veteran host was in the wrong.Most of the callers said they thought the veteran host was in the wrong.
"Damn shame""Damn shame"
"Americans used to call us 'limeys' which doesn't sound very nice, but we used to laugh about it. Everybody has a nickname," Forysth said. "Americans used to call us 'limeys' which doesn't sound very nice, but we used to laugh about it. Everybody has a nickname," Forysth told Talksport.
Du Beke apologised "unreservedly" for his comment, which he said he made "in jest". Rouass, whose parents are Moroccan, has accepted his apology and said he did not deserve to be sacked. He said that should be the end of it: "I'm sure there was nothing vindictive about what he said...the page should be closed on it."
Forsyth said that should be the end of it: "I'm sure there was nothing vindictive about what he said...the page should be closed on it." He also said he was concerned for the dancing couple: "It's a damn shame and I feel for him and Laila, she's a lovely girl."
He admitted he was concerned for the dancing couple: "It's a damn shame and I feel for him and Laila, she's a lovely girl."
And he defended Du Beke personally "He's a lovely, sensitive guy. OK, he can be a bit mouthy and can say quick things off-the-cuff like I do.And he defended Du Beke personally "He's a lovely, sensitive guy. OK, he can be a bit mouthy and can say quick things off-the-cuff like I do.
"But when you're like that you can slip up every now and again. You can say something that you don't mean.""But when you're like that you can slip up every now and again. You can say something that you don't mean."
Du Beke has apologised "unreservedly" for his comment, which he said he had made "in jest". Rouass, whose parents are Moroccan, has accepted his apology and said he did not deserve to be sacked.
The BBC is standing by Du Beke despite calls for him to be sacked.The BBC is standing by Du Beke despite calls for him to be sacked.
A statement said: "The BBC does not condone offensive language in the workplace. Anton Du Beke has apologised unreservedly to Laila Rouass who has accepted his apology."A statement said: "The BBC does not condone offensive language in the workplace. Anton Du Beke has apologised unreservedly to Laila Rouass who has accepted his apology."