Strictly Come Dancing Anton Du Beke “sorry” for race slur

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Strictly Come Dancing Anton Du Beke “sorry” for race slur

Monday, 05 October 2009 16:51

Laila Rouass & Antone Du Beke Many media channels have reported Anton Du Beke has caused offence by calling his dance partner Laila Rouass a “Paki”.

Laila Rouass, who was born to an Indian mother and Moroccan father, reportedly walked away from the situation, when this happened.

According to the News of the World Anton Du Beke used the slur two weeks ago after the Footballers' Wives actress had a spray tan before filming for BBC One Show.

Since then Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke has apologised "unreservedly" for any offence he caused after it was claimed he called his partner a "Paki".

The ballroom dancer denied being racist after an exchange "in jest" with Laila Rouass during training for the show. According to BBC Rouass has accepted his apology and said the couple had "moved on". It reported that Du Beke, who also presents Saturday evening game show Hole in the Wall, said: "I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.

BBC website reported Rouass 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."

However some media channels are critical of Du Beke not being punished for this slur. One online newspaper compared the incidence with that of Carol Thatcher. The Dailytelegraph wrote “Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke has escaped censure by the BBC for describing his celebrity partner as a “Paki”, despite Carol Thatcher being sacked for a similar offence”.

The BBC said no action would be taken against Du Beke. The professional dance is a rising star at the corporation who has been tipped to take over as Strictly host when Bruce Forsyth retires. They released a brief statement which said only: “The BBC does not condone offensive language in the workplace.”

-SCDi