The News of the World has reported that Anton Du Beke has called Strictly Come Dancing celebrity Laila Rouass a "Paki".
Du Beke used the offensive term when he saw the actress after she had a spray-tan at the BBC. Allegedly he told Laila: "Oh my God, you look like a Paki." This was (again, apparently) heard by 15 other people including fellow pro dancer Brendan Cole.
A witness said: "Laila just stood there gobsmacked, as was everyone else. She just looked at him as if she couldn't quite believe what he'd said. Everyone in the room was just shell-shocked and nobody spoke for few seconds.
"Then Laila glared at Anton and just walked out - she was so upset. She just went to her dressing room, collected her stuff and went straight home. She felt totally humiliated."
Du Beke's has also (allegedly) dubbed Laila a "terrorist" when they first met.
Du Beke has issued an apology: "Laila and me have strong personalities and she gives as good as she gets. But I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.
"During the course of rehearsals Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used between the two of us.
"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.
"I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused."
Laila has accepted the apology, saying: "It was a situation which happened that we have moved on from and I accept his apology. I'm really enjoying the show and dancing with Anton, and hope we can go as far as possible in the competition."
Carol Thatcher lost her job on The One Show for a similar incident, which begs the question: Should Anton Du Beke lose his job on the show? He is the new host on Hole In The Wall too... will that role be under threat too?
What do you think?
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Anonymous
The word 'paki' is an extremely offensive word directed at ALLLLLL browned skinned individuals, irrespective of their individual origin. Laila's mother is Indian and father Morroccan, so with what purpose did the remark 'paki' serve exactly?? I would like to know. Just because she has spray tan on, she is now looking like a paki??? I actually agree that Anton did not intend to direct this in a malicious racist context, however its just pure ignorance that we can compare directing the term 'paki' towards all browned skinned ethnic individuals with calling a Scottish person a Scot or a jock. I mean people really need to get a reality check.sammksy
Ok lets get a few FACTS clear: Lets be clear, the term 'paki' IS NOT a shorthand for Pakistani as perhaps Brit would be for `british or Scot for Scottish. The term 'paki' was created in the 1970s by skinhead teddyboys in East London and was applied indiscriminately at all brown people, no matter there religion nor whether they were originally from Indian Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or any other country. The terms "paki" (often used just before somebody used their doc martins to smash someones skull) was intended to abuse and terrorise the people who were subjected to it and used with hatred and aggression. To claim that criticising use of the P Word is political correctness gone mad is absurd. Anyone who claims such has extreme right wing/ BNP tendencies and is trying to justify their own disgusting views with some sort of legitimacy. Last, I often think that the best way to find out if something is offensive is TO ASK THE OFFENDED and not the offender .... doh!! I dont think you will find one brown person in this country who will not find the term paki very offensive. Anton de Dickhead should be unceremoniously sacked by the BBC to demonstrate that they will not tolerate any kind of racial abuse he should be left to reflect on his views.Post new comment