Thaindian News

London, October 4 (ANI): ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star Laila Rouass walked out when her dance partner called her a “Paki”.

Anton Du Beke used the offensive term for the actress, who has an Indian mum and a Moroccan dad, after she got a spray-tan at the BBC.

The 43-year-old reportedly told her: Oh my God, you look like a Paki” in the presence of 15 other people.”

“Laila just stood there gobsmacked, as was everyone else. She just looked at him as if she couldn’t quite believe what he’d said. Everyone in the room was just shell-shocked and nobody spoke for few seconds,” News of the World quoted a witness as saying.

“Then Laila glared at Anton and just walked out - she was so upset. She just went to her dressing room, collected her stuff and went straight home. She felt totally humiliated,” the witness added.

Du Beke, who tagged Laila a “terrorist” when they first met, was said to have initially denied making the racist outburst but later issued an apology.

He said: “”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.”

Laila added: “It was a situation which happened that we have moved on from and I accept his apology. I’m really enjoying the show and dancing with Anton, and hope we can go as far as possible in the competition.” (ANI)