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Forsyth says 'Du Beke was wrong' | Forsyth says 'Du Beke was wrong' |
(10 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. |
Forsyth told Talksport radio people should have a "sense of humour" over Anton Du Beke's use of the term "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 prompted 487 complaints from viewers. | Du Beke's comments prompted 487 complaints from viewers. |
He was speaking to actress Laila Rouass, his dance partner on the show, during rehearsals. | |
He has since apologised - and said he was speaking "in jest". | |
Speaking on Wednesday, Forsyth told Talksport 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." |
"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 told Talksport. | "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. |
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." | 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." |
Anton Du Beke has apologised to dance partner Laila Rouass | |
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 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." |
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." |
The Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC Radio 5 live said they had received a record 600 calls regarding Forsyth's comments. | |
What Anton said to Laila was wrong and he has apologised unreservedly for this Bruce Forsyth | |
Most of the callers said they thought the veteran host was in the wrong. | |
Forsyth then issued a clarification, in which 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. | |
"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." | |
Du Beke has apologised "unreservedly" for his comment. 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." |