Forsyth issues apology over contestant's remarks

The 81-year-old TV presenter issued a statement to “clarify” his remarks after he appeared to say people were getting too obsessed by dancer Anton Du Beke, who called his partner Laila Rouass a “P**i”.

Bruce said: “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. Whilst I accept we live in a world of extraordinary political correctness, we should keep things in perspective.”

Anton called Laila the offensive name several weeks ago after she received a spray tan.

He has since apologised to her, which she has accepted, and has since danced on the show with him.

Bruce had said the public indignation over the incident was been blown out of all proportion.

He said: “We used to have a sense of humour about this. You go back 25, 30, 40 years and there has always been a bit of humour about the whole thing.”