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BBC Radio Devon DJ David Lowe loses job over racist word BBC Radio Devon DJ David Lowe loses job over racist word
(35 minutes later)
A veteran BBC local radio DJ has lost his job after playing a song on his golden oldies show containing a racist word.A veteran BBC local radio DJ has lost his job after playing a song on his golden oldies show containing a racist word.
BBC Radio Devon DJ David Lowe, 68, said he was unaware that a 1932 version of The Sun Has Got His Hat On included the N-word. BBC Radio Devon DJ David Lowe, 68, said he was unaware that a 1932 version of The Sun Has Got His Hat On included the n-word.
Mr Lowe, who had spent 32 years at the BBC, said he made an honest mistake.Mr Lowe, who had spent 32 years at the BBC, said he made an honest mistake.
He said BBC bosses declined his idea of an on-air apology, and his offer to "fall on his sword" was accepted.He said BBC bosses declined his idea of an on-air apology, and his offer to "fall on his sword" was accepted.
The BBC said it accepted that the situation could have been handled better, and offered Mr Lowe his job back.The BBC said it accepted that the situation could have been handled better, and offered Mr Lowe his job back.
'Political correctness''Political correctness'
But the DJ said the row had exacerbated a stress-related condition and he would not be returning to the corporation.But the DJ said the row had exacerbated a stress-related condition and he would not be returning to the corporation.
Mr Lowe said he had been "compelled to pay the ultimate price" for falling foul of "today's unforgiving obsession with political correctness".Mr Lowe said he had been "compelled to pay the ultimate price" for falling foul of "today's unforgiving obsession with political correctness".
The second verse of the song, recorded by the UK dance band Ambrose and his Orchestra, features the line: "He's been tanning [N-word] out in Timbuktu, now he's coming back to do the same to you." Later versions of the song omit the offensive word. The second verse of the song, recorded by the UK dance band Ambrose and his Orchestra, features the line: "He's been tanning [n-word] out in Timbuktu, now he's coming back to do the same to you." Later versions of the song omit the offensive word.
The BBC took action after a listener heard the song broadcast on Mr Lowe's Sunday night programme and complained.The BBC took action after a listener heard the song broadcast on Mr Lowe's Sunday night programme and complained.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "We have offered David Lowe the opportunity to continue presenting his Singers and Swingers show, and we would be happy to have him back on air.A BBC spokeswoman said: "We have offered David Lowe the opportunity to continue presenting his Singers and Swingers show, and we would be happy to have him back on air.
"We accept that the conversation with David about the mistake could have been handled better, but if he chooses not to continue then we would like to thank him for his time presenting on the station and wish him well for the future.""We accept that the conversation with David about the mistake could have been handled better, but if he chooses not to continue then we would like to thank him for his time presenting on the station and wish him well for the future."
The incident comes after calls to sack the BBC Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson were resisted by the BBC, despite unbroadcast footage showing him apparently using the n-word. He has since apologised. The incident comes after calls to sack the Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson were resisted by the BBC, despite unbroadcast footage showing him apparently using the n-word. He has since apologised.