A VETERAN BBC broadcaster says he was asked to “fall on his sword” and quit his show, after playing a song that contained the N-word.
68-year-old David Lowe, who worked with BBC Radio Devon, said he hadn’t been aware that the 1932 version of children’s song ‘The Sun Has Got His Hat On’ he played on his show contained the word.
“I offered to apologise or to fall on my sword,” the DJ told BBC News.
Unfortunately the BBC decided on the latter option. I don’t have any quarrels with any of my colleagues. It’s the system of political correctness which has turned this into a rather badly-handled affair.
“I think we’re all too ready to bow to political correctness,” the presenter said, adding that the stress of the incident had taken a toll on his health.
The BBC have admitted the affair was handled badly, and offered Lowe his job back. However, the presenter — who described the move as “magnanimous” — said he wouldn’t be taking up the offer, for health reasons.
A complaint was made by a listener after Lowe played the 82-year-old recording on his 27 April show.
The track includes the line: ”He’s been tanning [N-word] out in Timbuktu — now he’s coming back to do the same to you”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say