"I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language."
BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing continues to be embroiled in controversy as judge Anton Du Beke has now been dragged into a legal probe into “serious misconduct”.
He has been named to lawyers Carter-Ruck by former dance partner Laila Rouass, who he was paired with in 2009 while still a pro dancer.
Sources have said their team are considering making an official complaint to the BBC in the coming days.
It is understood Laila’s complaint is related to a remark made by Anton.
After Laila had a spray tan, Anton said the actress looked like a “P***”.
He later apologised for the comment, saying at the time:
“I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.
“During the course of rehearsals, Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used between the two of us.
“There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react.
“I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused.”
Although Laila stormed out at the time, she accepted his apology:
“It was a situation which happened that we have moved on from and I accept his apology.”
But she has now approached the law firm.
Viewers of the BBC show also dug up Anton Du Beke’s comment and wondered why he was not sacked.
In 2021, BBC bosses made him one of the judges.
One source said: “Anton has a very 1970s attitude and can be abrasive.
“The lines are becoming increasingly blurred as to what is acceptable or not, and of course, some people have found him fine to work with.
“But there were murmurings of discontent when he was a dancer. Yet the BBC promoted him. It is all quite strange.”
On the other hand, a source close to Anton said:
“His comment was dealt with at the time and he wants to move on.”
Anton Du Beke’s involvement in the probe will intensify pressure on the BBC, who have seen their flagship entertainment show come under scrutiny after Amanda Abbington revealed she had suffered PTSD after taking part with Giovanni Pernice.
She was joined by at least two other celebrities who took their complaints about the dancer to Carter-Ruck.
Giovanni has since quit Strictly Come Dancing.
Graziano Di Prima was sacked following allegations he “hit, spat at and kicked” Zara McDermott during rehearsals last year.
Days later a third star was identified as a “person of interest” to Carter-Ruck.
Questions have been raised over whether there will be a 2024 series, with some calling for the show to be axed.
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