BBC in race row

The BBC is resisting calls to sack a star of hit television show 'Strictly Come Dancing' for using racist language, after he used the term "Paki" in an off-air comment.

Anton Du Beke has faced growing pressure to quit despite apologising "unreservedly" to dance partner Laila Rouass, a contestant on the British show whose format has also been a hit around the world.

On Tuesday, Rouass, who has Indian ancestry, defended him after growing calls for his dismissal from the Saturday night show.

"Anton has apologised and I've accepted it. This happened a couple of weeks ago now and we are just having a really good time. We just want to move on from it," she said. Asked if he should be sacked, she said: "Absolutely not."

Du Beke himself says the comment was made in jest but admits he should not have used the term.

"There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react," he said.

A BBC spokesman said: "Anton understands that it's offensive and has unconditionally apologised."

The row recalls a similar storm in February, when former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher's daughter Carol was dropped by the BBC for describing French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as a "froggy golliwog guy."

The word "golliwog", referring to a black doll-like character, was once widely used, including as the emblem of a leading make of British jam, but in recent decades has been dropped for being racist.

"Frogs" is a common British insult for French people. Thatcher declined to apologise for the remarks.

Also in February, Britain's Prince Harry was sent to retake an army equality and diversity course after apologising for describing a fellow officer cadet as "our little Paki friend," in a home video obtained by a newspaper.

A spokesman for anti-racism group Hope Not Hate condemned the BBC's refusal to dismiss Du Beke.

"If calling someone a Paki is not racist behaviour, then what is? Quite simply, the programme has to ask itself, is it going to condone racism on its show or is it going to deal with it quickly and decisively?" he said.

"The BBC took a clear line on the Carol Thatcher 'golliwog' comment. If anything, this comment is even more offensive."

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AFP