Nouse doesn't seem to figure in the qualifications needed to host of present a live show.

How many has Bruce presented?

Was Sunday night at the Palladium live ?

This is all a storm in a teacup. The word he used is no different than the Australians calling English "Pommies"; or the Americans calling us "Limies"; the French calling us "Roast Beef" or us calling the Americans "Yanks" or the French "Froggies". Anyone over 40 would not think it was so offensive. Rude - yes - offensive no. I am sure Anton does not think it a joke now. He has apologised unreservedly and appears truly sorry for what he said. I do hope that this country is not so "politically correct" that it cannot accept some-one's apology. It really would be chilling if people cannot draw a line under this sorry debacle. He said he was sorry on national television and admitted he was stupid. Move on - end of.

I thought you were being a parody of what I described in my post to start with but I see you are being serious.

I do hope you're wrong!

Perfectly serious.

It all seems pointless arguing now.
The BBC are letting him stay and, unless he does anything else stupid, that would seem to be the end of it.

I havent posted on one of these thread for a few days because they are just going round in circles but I had to reply to this ........sorry but you are just WRONG.....It is this kind of belief that keeps racism alive and well and flourishing in this country. I am not over 40 I am over 50 and I KNOW and THINK that the word (along with many others) that Anton used is at best rude and at worst racist and NEVER funny. I have not made a formal complaint to the BBC but my feelings for Anton have gone from Hero to Zero in the space of a week.

his apology isn't worth the paper its printed on as he prefaced the whole thing by saying he never used any racist language anyway.
the only reason he brought out that half-arsed statement in the first place was to try and cling onto his job with the BBC. end of.

I have been reading these forums for days now and haven't posted anything but I just had to reply to Samiskim's post.

How dare you say that anyone over 40 would not think it is offensive. Who are you to decide the opinions of everyone over 40 in this country. I am well over 40 and I don't just find it offensive I find it disgusting that any decent person would even think of using that word in their vocabulary.

I totally agree with Jan2555G. It is because of people like you making light of such a serious matter that we will never stamp out racism in this country.

I have watched Anton Du Beke numerous times when he has appeared as a panellist on The Wright Stuff and I have to say I am not really surprised that he uses such language. He comes across as someone who can be extreme in his views and in my opinion the gentlemanly cheeky chappy persona is a bit of an act. I just hope that he has learned something from this and was genuinely sorry for the offence he has caused.

I don't think the post was as stupid as you appear to suggest.
Take the term "Pom" or "Pommy"..Quote:
In 2006, an Auckland, New Zealand, Planet FM's English community radio program 'The Anglofiles' received feedback that many English people living in New Zealand considered the word Pom to be highly offensive. Rather than anything offensive in the word itself they were offended by its use as a term of abuse, especially in a racist manner. They felt it to be akin to racist terms such as 'wog', 'wop' and 'spic'. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission describes racial abuse as language or actions which, in the recipient's view, induce negative feelings towards his or her race.

So, it really all depends on the view of the recipient. Being called a Pom would not trouble me..but that would depend on the preceding adjective. If enough people are bothered by the use of "Pom" then it will become widely accepted as a term of abuse..even if that is not always the intention.

In my opinion, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the use of the "P" word as a shortened term for Pakistani.
However, we all know that it was high-jacked by racist thugs..we had the term P**i Bashing etc.
The continued context in which it has been used, more often than not accompanied by abuse, has made the word unacceptable.

I'm over 40.

I don't find the word P@ki offensive personally, mainly because people can't seriously use it against me.

I do, however, accept that some people do find it offensive.

The word does exist in my vocabulary but sits, unused, in a deep dark corner gathering dust.

If Asians, or other ethnicities for that matter, aren't offensive to me then why should I be offensive to them?

Anton’s misdemeanour was nothing compared to that of Cheryl Tweedy Cole in 2003 when she was convicted of ABH and accused of making a far worse remark.

And look at her now, she's re-invented herself as the nation's sweetheart.

Yes this is why it is total nonsense about his career being wrecked, a mob, going on to long etc. The ONLY sanction he will actually have is some criticism as whilst he obviously has the backing of his employer, and fellow professionals it is pretty clear that this will have hardly, if any, effect on his career except that he has picked up a few fans who approve or excuse his words and have lost the support of a few who think it was offensive.

Hmm... well she may have "reinvented" herself as "the nation's sweetheart", but she sure as hell isn't mine...

I'd like to add myself to the group of over 40s who find the term offensive.

yep, agree wholeheartedly, count me in too.

I too am over 40 and think it is a horrible word. It is not in the same category as, "Pommy". It is a hate-full word.

I am over forty and count me out of your ill informed opinion

The point is, that all the people who are complaining were not part of the coversation and the word was not used on air, so the only person who could be offended was Leila, and she has accepted the apology. So stop moaning and move on!

Just a question, but would everyone have found it just as offensive if he had said to Layla that when she had her spraytan she looked like a Pakistani? Is it just the shortened version that offends?

"Pakistani" is accurate, "****" is derogatory - everyone knows that.

(See, I typed it exactly as it is and it was starred out by some script written by the moderators because they find it unacceptable automatically in its full form.)

No, that doesn't work - and I already explained why in post 74. If you want it clarified further: a) it's public knowledge - he said this *at work* and *publicly* admitted it and b) although (on a very strict - and contestable - definition) she might be the only person who could be *offended* by the term's use, I sure as hell can find it *unacceptable*.

its not really, as millions completely and catergorically disagree with you.

Let's face it, Anton is an incredibly crap presenter anyway. His career should be hindered by that if by nothing else.