[Scarlett.]

SIR David Jason has been forced to apologise today after making a ‘joke’ about Pakistanis live on radio.

Yesterday the veteran actor, who was knighted in 2005, sparked a race row after making the remarks on Absolute Radio’s Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show.

During the Who's Calling Christian feature - where celebrities ring up with a chance to win £20,000 for charity - Jason was asked to leave a question for the next guest.

But the 69-year-old shocked listeners by asking: "What do you call a Pakistani cloakroom attendant? Me hat, me coat.”

After a stunned silence from the presenter, the Only Fools And Horses star quickly asked a different question about Ronnie Barker.

The incident occurred at 8am yesterday and the joke was promptly removed from the show’s podcast on the station’s website.

No apology was issued during the broadcast but the actor’s spokeswoman later said he was “very sorry” and distressed that the joke may have caused offence.

She added: “He is really sorry and distressed that that joke upset people.

“He thought it was nothing more than a light hearted joke and doesn't see it as racist but is naturally very, very sorry that people did.”

But race campaigners did take offence. Mr Mohammed Shafiq, from the Ramadhan Foundation, fumed: “These are inappropriate remarks about a stereotype that may have held a little water in the 50's and 60's but is not true to today.

“Many top jobs in this country are held by British Muslims, from lawyers, to doctors, politicians and businessmen.

“David Jason needs to reflect on this and learn about the wealth of jobs held by Muslims.

“As a well known and well-loved actor he needs to be careful about what he says. He should have known better.”

And Mediawatch director, John Beyer, slammed his comment as inappropriate, although he said he didn’t think it was intended in an offensive way.

He added: “People in the media need to learn the lesson that these kind of jokes are not appreciated any more.”

A spokeswoman for Absolute Radio said Christian O'Connell tried to distance himself from the joke on air by saying "no more jokes like that" after his comment.

But she said the station didn’t think it was necessary for him to make an apology on air.

[andyman]

Dear lord! Off with his head! How dare he! How flippin dare he.. I am so upset and hurt by this!!!

Due to his evil insult chrismas will be renamed "Winter day"..

[Fom]

This is what the world has come too lol. 'Race Row' my bum hole!

[arista]

Sure it is bad taste
but David Jason in Frost on ITV1
is real good in the 1994 series.


He has said sorry,
now move on
he is soon working on the final 'Frost' Series for ITV.

[Scarlett.]

Funny how you hear black people can make a joke about white people and no one kicks up a fuss

[30stone]

I agree with everything everyone has posted on here.

Like Artista said, hes apologised, move on.

[Firewire]

Sir David Jason.

WTF

[30stone]

Originally posted by Firewire
Sir David Jason.

WTF

And what is wrong with that?