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I am a white Brit - why I feel embarrassed to admit this these days, worries me - I have experienced rascism in both Wales and Scotland as I was born and bred in England. Some was malicious, some just the usual joking about being a 'wimpy southerner' and being excluded from conversations in a language or dialect I don't understand. If I'd been bothered to report it - why would I? - I would be laughed out any court. It would not be considered rascism. It is all to do with intent and the actual conversation between the people involved. We were not there, we can't comment.

- Annie, london

@ James, London, UK

Ironically, not so long ago a child with Down Syndrome and with a mental age of 8 was arrested exactly for using the "Paki" word towards another equally disabled Asian child in his classroom.

I reiterate it is PC madness.

- Frank, Home Counties, England.

Well Croyboy, thank you for pointing out my spelling mistake.

However you try to defend the use of the term, it can never be denied that when white folk say this, they use it as a nasty, offensive but generic name they call to all people from the South Asia area.

As per my previous comment, if you truly believe in your convictions, please come to Upton Park this Saturday afternoon, outside the tube station or in Queens Market (where I shall be buying my weekly food) and start explaining to all Asian folk why its still ok to call them a "Paki".

But then again, I'll doubt you'll have the balls for this beacuse what I can deem from your views, you're probably a rather pathetic individual.

- Decency, London, UK

It's not political correctness it's just common decency (something some of the obviously racist commentators on this blog would know nothing about).

They are a particularly disgusting example of the type of person who would think it's OK to call a downs child a "spaz" and then have the nerve to hide behind "political correctness gone mad" if that poor child was offended.

I remember a time when Brits had real manners but I guess that trait has long gone.

- James, London, UK

Let's get this clarified. It's racist to call someone from Pakistan a Paki, but all right to call that person a Pakistani?

So how do the letters stani make the word Pakistani more acceptable than Paki?

This is the kind of endless nonsense you get when the small petty people are allowed to be in charge due to the absence of big high-minded people.

- Eric Legge, Ongar, England

"Decency" (Who decided that, then?), London, says "'Limeys' or 'Brits'...well they refer to the NATION of Great Britain, which, the last time I checked was NOT a race, therefore, these can not be classified as racist names and definateley not in the same league of offence.
Well, Decency, "Paki" refers to the NATION of Pakistan, which, the last time I checked was NOT a race, therefore, this can not be classified as racist names and definateley not in the same league of offence (Please excuse his spelling).

- Croyboy, Croydon

Well said, Warren Peace. As an older person I am constantly running a gauntlet of foul mouthed abuse from youths when I walk my dog in the park. Nasty comments about my age, my colour, my weight, all from people I do not know and who do not know me. I just ignore them for the ignorant thugs they are. Sticks and stones.......

- Josie, London, UK

It's only offensive if you let it be offensive.

It seems the likes of Frog, Kraut, Aussie, Bok, Yank, etc are all OK because of the colour of the target demographic. Thus individuals from mature democratic nations are secure enough to treat it like water of a ducks back.

I noticed during the cricket that Sky foreshortened the name Pakistan to Pak. I think the "PC barmy army" ought to complain.

- Frank, Home Counties, England.

A stupid story if you ask me.
You cant say this and you cant say that, I dont like be called a B.
Can i do anything about that.

- Martin, sheffield

When I was an assistant in an inner city classroom a few years ago, I was shocked at some of the Asian parents and their children's frequent use of the term 'halfcaste' about the mixed race children. They carelessly revealed racist attitudes in so many ways towards black and mixed race people. Definitely held themselves to be superior.

I have no knowledge of the Anton du Beck affair and if he did apologise. Nor whether Bruce Forsyth was racially offensive. There are some instances we have to be careful not to overreact. We're fast being made to live in overly rigid PC boxes. The effect is to alienate growing numbers of indigenous people, when all too often, and incorrectly , the term racist and xenophobic is whipped out at the drop of a hat. Trying to over 'police' and over control people's thoughts just doesn't work. Racism doesn't run just one way either. If we root it out, we must do so rigorously and consistently with the non white racists too. I was often shocked and disgusted by some of the racism exhibited by Asian parents at our school. It was ugly to see, but because they weren't white, they were complacent that it didn't count as racism. Unbelievable levels of ignorance.

- Christine, London

I am sooo happy that I left England and am bringing my kids up in a country full of 'normal' people (very much like England was about 15 years ago). What is wrong with everyone?

- Liz, Italy

Just shows how out of touch Brucie is with the modern age. I put it down to is age. He's never really been a 'political' person, but these days politics is everything, and everything is politics. You can't escape fromtaking a stand on fundamental issues, and you can't laugh them off.

- Dhan Raj, Basildon

WARREN PEACE, LONDON Msg to You - what planet are you living on how can you say ethnic minority are criminals, lazy, devious or playing the race card you are so ignorant did you know that they make up a small percentage of this country did you know overall the biggest crime rate is from English born, and also you hear new immigrants ie Polish, etc that White English people are so lazy and I am white and a lot of us are and you know full well it's true ethnic miniorities have really change the face of this country with their work ethics black and white alike so we have a lot to thank them for lets not forget that. There is good and bad in all race colour, creed etc no other race is superior like we are taught to believe and you are of Asian Descent shame on you, am sure your people what like what you said you must be so deluded or what

- Clare, London

Is it not technically 'racist' that rappers, black comedians and members of the street gang fraternity can refer to each other as "niggaz", but as soon as a white person uses the word he should be arrested, prosecuted and probably shot by firing squad for a 'hate crime'?

How offensive can one word be, 'Paki' or anything else, unless the so-called victim is deeply insecure about their identity?

If someone wants to call me a 'honky', 'infidel', etc., I'll simply return the comment with interest and see where we go from there.

- Bernie Goetz, London, England

Paki is a racial insult. Full stop. But I'd rather be a paki than a brucie. why not sack the geriatric fool. The aroma of wigs, sterident and ebalming fluid is becoming overpowering.

- Gaz, london

Forsyth is talking rubbish.

Americans don't calll Brits "limey" as a precursor to dishing out a violent assault or even murder. Americans don't spray "limey" on an English guy's house before putting excrement or a lighted rag through the door.

The NF did this to Asian Britons, including my best mate. As a white person I have never faced this kind of abuse. It is totally different. If some-one referred to my best mate or any other of my friends of Asian heritage using the P word, I would assume bloodshed was imminent.

- Danny, London

This whole debate has raged on for 3 days now, I have contributed with comments myself.

The guy appologised, fair enough. Should he be sacked? that's for BBC top brass to decide. Was it a PR stunt? who knows........

I think the REAL issue that has crept into this debacle is how some natives of this land still think it's OK to use the term "Paki".

I think most of this bravado stems from the fact that this is a comment board, every is just an invisable commentor. I sincerley doubt that any of you white folk would have the courage to visit an intensely Asian populated area (Upton Park, Southall etc etc) and call folk there a "Paki" and then explain to them that it's "all in good humour" or "Paki is short for Pakistan init?"

"Limeys" or "Brits"...well they refer to the NATION of Great Britain, which, the last time I checked was NOT a race, therefore, these can not be classified as racist names and definateley not in the same league of offence.

- Decency, London, UK

Why can't we just go back to the good old days when we could insult anyone we felt like? We should also bring back some of those lovely old TV programmes that ridiculed foreigners, what harm did they do? It's political correctness gone mad!

- Frank, Home Counties, England.

Culturel Marxism shown in all its seedy glory,..PC bullies rule the roost in Commie controlled Britain

Political Correctness “wants to change behavior, thought, even the words we use. To a significant extent, it already has.” “Whoever or whatever controls language also controls thought.” “Political Correctness” is in fact cultural Marxism. The effort to translate Marxism from economics into culture did not begin with the student rebellion of the 1960s. It goes back at least to the 1920s and the writings of the Italian Communist Antonio Gramsci. In 1923, in Germany, a group of Marxists founded an institute devoted to making the translation, the Institute of Social Research (later known as the Frankfurt School). One of its founders, George Lukacs, stated its purpose as answering the question, “Who shall save us from Western Civilization?” Lind thinks there are major parallels between classical and cultural Marxism: “Both are totalitarian ideologies. The totalitarian nature of Political Correctness can be seen on [University] campuses where ‘PC’ has taken over the college: freedom of speech, of the press, and even of thought are all eliminated.” “Today, with economic Marxism dead, cultural Marxism has filled its shoes. The medium has changed, but the message is the same: a society of radical egalitarianism enforced by the power of the state.”

- Andy, UK

If all comments on most racial and social issues,are the true intentions of thses commentators.I am very worried indeed, on how Evil and malisciuos some people are.
This guy is wrong end of story,anyone who support his view is is contemptios ignoramous predudist.
Just read some of the comments on Obama.Some people have serius issues.

- Daniel Gates, Rochester

I am a Scot which is the short for Scottish... or a Brit or a Pom which is short for Brittish... What is the short for Pakistani? I have deep pockets and short arms, Red hair and freckles and some of my ancestors were sent to the far reaches of this earth as virtual slaves by the English... so what! I am what I am and I am happy about it. I think the liberals of this world should grow up and go get real jobs rather than spend all their days worrying about what is politically correct or not...

- Harvey, London

Everyone says something that is Politically incorrect (Not meant as an aggressive outright rasist attack on the person) whether it be a wife to her husband to wife, boy to girl to boy, coloured to white to asian to whatever group you are from. The big differecnce here is that the apoligy was accepted and that should have been the end of the matter. The person or persons who reported this to the press should be exposed and sacked for breech of trust and probably earnings from the press on the side and subsequently failure to disclose earnings to the tax Office. This would put an end to all these dreadful little nobodys.

- Den, London

LEAVE BRUCIE ALONE!!! He rules!

- Ken Joralemon, london, UK

anyone with an ounce of reasoning (or for the PC bigots, 31.1 grams approx) can see where this thought/mind/speak control is leading, namely to a majority being forced by a tiny minority of self-appointed self-righteous indignant PC bigots to think, speak, read, see ONLY what this minority approves of.
Examples are book-burnings by fundamentalist so-called christians in the US bible belt; destruction of Beatles' albums following John Lennon's remark that the band was more popular than Jesus. The banning of "Black Beauty" in apartheid South Africa - until it was pointed out to the Broederbond that it was/is a story about a horse....."Black is beautiful" logo was banned by the same lunatics....

Literature at risk:
Shakespeare (anti-Semitic), Jonathan Swift (anti the vertically-challenged; religion), Agatha Christie (racist titles) - take your pick: there are thousands more examples of creative authorship of all descriptions which "could" be held up as offensive to the pc wallahs (ooops, is this a permissable expression?).
Expressions at risk (already banned by leftie town councils): any containing the word "black", as in: a black mark; a black day; etc etc etc.

Of course, you could take a stand against this pc stupidity (God Bless you, Jeremy Clarkson!), but the result might be a midnight knock on the door...

- David Low, Cirencester, UK

Bruce Forsyth only apologized so that he could keep his job. Obviously he should have kept his mouth shut in the first place but he is a celebrity and thus has an inflated understanding of his own importance. All those who are stupid enough to watch Strictly Come Dancing are welcome to him.

- Mick, London, England

Basically, John Bull has it right. Why should there be an exception? PC world gone mad. Only for some it seems. What a cop out. Sounds like animal farm all over again. Brighten up, focus on your priorities and the worlds priorities and encourage the press to slow down on publicising this propaganda. Seriously.

- Richie, London

"Forsyth said that in days gone by the "slip up" would have been treated in a more light-hearted way. " Maybe so Brucey, but thankfully we are all a bit more enlightened now. Political Correctness isn’t about censoring what people can and can’t say, it’s about being tactful and diplomatic and not reverting to lazy, insulting stereotypes or unfunny small minded comments based on someone’s nationality or ethnic background. Anyone who thinks that the word p*** is acceptable should try saying it in their place of work or down the local pub and see what reaction they get, then you might see that in 2009 how offensive to so many people. If you don’t understand the difference between that at shortening British to Brit or Australian to Aussie then you must be a bit thick.

- Nj, London

I used to think this was the usual PC brigade making a mountain out of a mole hill, and indeed it is. But this is being relentlessly fuelled by the media, who are making it a front page story when it does not even deserve to be in the paper at all ! Why not try and report some real news !

- Paul H, London

Mr B London

How old are you and your 'mates' from the sound of it probably about 12 years old.

- Dc, London

There is no fool like a PC bully = Kh, London.

If I am talking about somebody I may very well refer to them as an Aussie, Kiwi, Yank or, God forbid, Paki. I would use these terms with absolutely no malice.

If I am talking to somebody I would use their name. Geddit?

- John Bull, London

I can't help getting the feeling that this increasing political correctness is only a step and a half away from entering into the madness that sees females being ostracised for not wearing a burqua or punished for being in the company of an unrelated male. The reasoning is just as impoverished, and just as dangerous. Let fanatical people have their head and they'll only get more and more zealous.

- John, Feltham, UK

Kh, London, asks of me (and others): "a) are they good friends with or in a relationship with anyone of asian origin and b) would they use this word to an asian persons face?"
a) Yes.
b) It's unnecessary to mention the nationality/national origin of friends or people one is "in a relationship with", as they are referred to by name or term of endearment.

- Croyboy, Croydon

oh yes on a nomal level i agree with your second point croyboy but that was not my question. I asked would you call this asian person (who you are good friends with or in a relationship with remember) a p***i to their faces? you haven't answered that question so i will still assume the answer is 'no'. Stop trying to justify your dodgy views.......................or if you must at least create a coherent answer.

- Kh, London UK

KH, London... You obviously did not read my comments of yesterday and again today! I am hopeful you will take time to read them again before including me in your list of "ignorant people". Thanking you.

- Clive, Streatham

yes my apologies clive! (god i sound like Du beck now). Let me erase you name from my list and add Mr B from london.......................

- Kh, London UK

It sounds to me that some fool at the BBC, faced with poor viewing figures for Strictly Come Dancing, leaked this story (how else would we have found out about it?) thinking that it was a great viral marketing opportunity.

Epic fail!

- Maximum Bob, London

I know a number of Europeans who are offended by terms such are Kraut, Frog, Greasy Diego, Wop, etc. However I strongly suspect that if the term were used and they responded with the "p" or "n" word they would be in the wrong!

- A Nobel Poet, London

Kh, London, asks of me (and others): "a) are they good friends with or in a relationship with anyone of asian origin and b) would they use this word to an asian persons face?"
a) Yes.
b) It's unnecessary to mention the nationality/national origin of friends or people one is "in a relationship with", as they are referred to by name or term of endearment.

- Croyboy, Croydon

The Aussies call us Brits Pommies do I complain NO - I take it in the
spirit intended! Yvette Cooper is out of synch with the rest of us if
a reference is made without malice then treat it as such!

- Mike Adams, Taunton

Can't use Paki, however one of your biggest selling tabloids frequently uses "Krauts" to describe Germans. Have the PC brigade asked the paper to be taken off the streets ?
Glad I left too !!!

- Fredgunner, Germany

I seem to recall seeing Brucie's wife on something a couple of years ago and I'm pretty certain she is of indian, pakistani or some other ethnic origin? Hardly racist then....... as he says we just live in an extraordinary PC society where everyone is offended by everything.

- Jc, London

KH, London... You obviously did not read my comments of yesterday and again today! I am hopeful you will take time to read them again before including me in your list of "ignorant people". Thanking you.

- Clive, Streatham

The sensitivity and general media frenzy, trying to stir up a situation that doesn't deserve the column inches is incredible. When did the English nation lose its ability to laugh at itself, be able to rise above small minded idiots and just get on with it. I have asian friends, they have called me Honky, white boy, limey in the past and I have returned the favour by calling them Paki, charwaller or waiter, but we don't stand there crying about these insults, its achievable becuase we see each other as friends and don't see the colour of our skin. Isn't a bit of jibbing just part of life??? Perhaps not for our emotionally inadequate friends of PC land!?
From my point of view we are having these ridiculous comments, because the country appears to cowar at the meer thought of knowing how to approach people from other ethnic backgrounds/countries. If you approach everybody as just another person, instead of worrying about accomodaing their every cultural preference then we would be better off. What happens when someone is given special priviledges or treatment... they expect that treatment whereever they go and feel insulted when it is not given.... thats where the problem is.

- Mr B, London

Would Bruce like it if we called him wiggy?

- Tony, E14

Nothing more than a storm in a teacup.

- John Verrall, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 1DX

I'm bored with explaining the difference between calling someone a 'brit' or an 'auusie' as opposed to a 'paki' or n***r. I suspect stupidity cannot be altered. It amazes me that along with Anton and bruce, there are still ignorant people such as the commentators above (clive from streatham, john bull, croyboy) who think the word 'paki' is ok. what i would like to ask them is a) are they good friends with or in a relationship with anyone of asian origin and b) would they use this word to an asian persons face?
I would bet my whole years salarey they would NOT., and that my ignorant friends is the point ( geddit now?)

- Kh, London UK

Du Beke used a racist insult, the person he said it to was insulted, and Du Beke apologised. What else is there to understand?

- Nolan, Londonist

Thank God I left the madhouse some years ago.

- Christopher Metcalfe, Singapore

Me too, Chris. Bruce Forsyth hasn´t done anything wrong. Why should he be the one to apologize? Ridiculous!

- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands

Being of Asian descent and in my late '40s, I have to agree with what Bruce Forsyth has said. I can recall programmes like "Love Thy Neighbour" in the early '70s, which poked fun at racial stereotypes. It was done in such a way that it was funny (I even bought the complete series on DVD a few years ago!).

Yes, we did laugh at it during the 70s and 80s (I still do), and every effort was made to ensure that it was done in a humorous light. It was only a bunch of killjoys we know as the PC brigade who decreed that it was offensive.

What we have to remember is that there is a difference between comedy and abuse. Yes, there is no room for out and out racial abuse, which I consider totally abhorrent, but it's just a shame that the nanny state (and some immigrant groups) cry racism at the drop of a hat. No sense of humour, some people.

Also, it's ethnic minorities who are in the wrong, either doing things against the law, or otherwise useless in their jobs and, when confronted, waste no time in playing the race card. These people are dangerous, devious, lazy, and give the rest of us a bad name in this nanny-state age.

- Warren Peace, London

thank god i left the madhouse some years ago

- Christopher Metcalfe, singapore

Brucie, You can keep dancing, I will not be watching. Racism overt or subtel has no place on the BBC!

- Clive, Streatham

Bruce got it right. It is about time we put an end to bullying by the barmy PC lobby and brought the debate out into the open.

I don't mind being called a 'Brit', the Americans don't mind being called Yanks, New Zealanders don't mind being called 'Kiwis', Australians don't mind being called 'Aussies' etc etc; why are Pakistanis so sensitive about having their name shortened?

If we are not very careful it is this sort of over-sensitivity that is going to help the BNP strengthen their foothold into British politics and I am sure nobody wants that.

- John Bull, London

"I'm sure there was nothing vindictive about what he said..."
Exactly! Shame on you Brucie: you were right the first time, thus nothing to "apologise" for.

- Croyboy, Croydon

"we live in a world of extraordinary political correctness"

Brucey's not wrong, trouble is "political correctness" is all one way.

- Steve, london

There are two realities to the term Paki those who take offence and others who don't see the word in a derogative manner. I guess it depends on ones own experience of the term. I don't think you can blame someone who has not experienced the term in a bad way as you can't hold it against someone who has had a bad experience from it. Lately, us humans just can't wait to point the finger at the other person and say he is wrong. Descrimination does come in all forms, it isn't just aimed at a particular group but I trully believe that most humans would not want to hurt another intentionally. I can see where Bruce is coming from as I can see the person's view who has been bullied by thugs. But remember these bullies are THUGS and only a small minority of society comparable to people who want to murder innocents because of their religious beliefs. All I can hope for is that we all come to our senses and try to live peacefully together, respecting one another, growing and learning about eachothers beliefs, cultures, celebrating our differences, which is what makes each culture so unique and wonderful. We really do have so much to be thankful for. Princess Diana's death brought about so much goodness in Britain, if only for a couple of weeks, we were all so nice to eachother. So many are out of work here, we have the Olympics coming up, the worlds eyes are on us, for once let us all pull together (we can) and make multicultural Britain a place that we can all be proud of.

- Ashley Smithson, st albans

Bruce sticks his oar into a row about nothing and zip goes his Knighthood.

- Ted, London

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