TV presenter Bruce Forsyth has been blasted by anti-racism charities, for his comments about the recent Strictly Come dancing race row.

Last week it was revealed that Anton DuBeke said his dance partner Laila Rouass “looked like a Paki.” Yesterday Bruce tried to defend Anton, saying that ‘Paki’ was as harmless as when Americans used to call British people “limeys.”

Gerry Gable, of Hope Not Hate, told The Sun: “We know Brucie’s getting on, but these kind of attitudes went out with the cart and horse.

“Using that word is not acceptable and he should know better.”

Goodness Gracious Me star Kulvinder Ghir added: “Claiming the word ‘Paki’ is harmless is just ignorance. It’s as bad as calling somebody a n*****.”

Ruhul Tarafder, of Bangla 2000, said: “Paki usually accompanies violence and hatred. It is as bad as the N-word.”

All this backlash forced Bruce to issue a new statement in which he insists he was not condoning Anton’s behaviour.

He said: “What Anton said to Laila was wrong and he has apologised.

“Nor do I excuse or condone the use of such language. The use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable.

“However, there is a major difference between this and racist comments which are malicious in intent and whilst I accept that we live in a world of extraordinary political correctness, we should keep things in perspective.”