BBC sensitive to possible offence

Simon Amstell has apologised after making a light-hearted mention of Nelson Mandela on Radio 1 this morning.

The comedian joked that there was racial segregation between Radio 1 and its urban sister station Radio 1Xtra.

He was clearly mocking the broadcaster rather than the former South African President, and defended his comments at the time. But he has since taken to Twitter to express his regret.

In conversation with Nick Gimshaw, Amstell said: ‘What is going on? We're next to 1Xtra, it's so white in here. Mandela would not approve of the situation at the BBC.’

Grimshaw asked why and Amstell replied: ‘Look at all these people in here… look at the segregation that's happened.’

Producer Matt Fincham challenged him, saying: ‘I don't think that's the right thing to be saying right now.”’

Amstell then laughed, adding: ‘Well, someone had to say it. Mandela would say it if he was here.’

Grimshaw apologised in case anyone was offended, and Amstell countered: ‘Nothing I said was offensive, though.’

But he later tweeted: ’It may have been unclear this morning, as things often are but what came out of this mouth today was silly. Apologies to everyone involved."

He was on the show to promote his new stand-up DVD, Live at the BBC.

Some people were also offended when Frankie Boyle tweeted: 'Nelson Mandeadla' soon after the former president died last night.

Published: 6 Dec 2013