STRICTLY ANTON: I'VE BEEN STUPID

Saturday October 10 2009 byNatalie fahy

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke last night made a desperate bid to bury the racism row that is threatening to engulf the hit BBC show.

The outspoken dancer appeared on BBC2’s sister show, It Takes Two, for the first time since word leaked out of his “Paki” remark to partner Laila Rouass.

He told host Claudia Winkleman that he wanted people to talk about the show, not his comments.

Putting his arm around Laila, who sat close to him on the sofa, he said: “I would just like to reiterate my apology from last weekend to Laila and to everybody who watches the show.

“I feel embarrassed and stupid. Now people are talking about that and should be talking about the show. I am mortified.”

Laila said it had been a “difficult” week for them both. “We want to move on. This happened weeks ago,” she said.

The actress then paid tribute to her dancing partner, saying: “Anton has taught me how to be gracious, how to laugh about silly things and I have had such a great time.

Anton apologises to Laila on air last night

“I just want to carry on. It’s such a shame this has happened.”

The BBC was plunged into the race row earlier this week after Du Beke’s remark to Laila hit the headlines.

The 43-year-old professional dancer is said to have made the comment after Ms Rouass had a spray tan. A source said he told the actress: “Oh my god, you look like a Paki.”

Anton and Laila will be dancing a foxtrot tonight and it will be crunch time as to whether fans keep him in the show.

Even Strictly host Bruce Forsyth, 81, entered the fray to support the dancer saying that the word “Paki” was no different to Brits being called “Limeys”.

More than 500 people have now complained to the BBC, but the station claims that since Anton has apologised, the matter is now closed.

Bookies suggested that Forsyth had “saved Du Beke’s bacon” by saying the nation should “get a sense of humour”. William Hill lengthened the price of Anton getting the sack from 4/1 to 12/1.

Details were also announced last night of the Strictly Come Dancing 2010 UK tour. Celebrities joining next year’s tour include actress and model Kelly Brook, former England rugby player Austin Healey and series four winner, cricketer Mark Ramprakash.

The tour, which kicks off in January, will also see Arlene Phillips back in the judge’s chair after she was sacked and replaced with Alesha Dixon.