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BBC says sorry after radio show caller uses N-word and homophobic slurs

Husband and wife Sunny and Shay Grewal host a show on BBC Radio London. (Getty Images)
Husband and wife Sunny and Shay Grewal have apologised for the offensive language aired on their BBC Radio London. (Getty Images)

The BBC has apologised after a caller to a radio show repeatedly used the N-word and homophobic slurs before being cut off.

Married couple Sunny and Shay's BBC Radio London show continued to question the caller after their first use of the offensive terms and the episode was made available to download online unedited.

A BBC spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: "An on-air apology was made and it has been removed from BBC Sounds.

"This was clearly a malicious call and we are looking into how this happened."

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Married couple Mandeep ‘Sunny’ and Gursharonjit ‘Shay’ Grewal apologised on air after taking the call during a discussion about National Monopoly Day.

The caller said: "Since I have moved to London from Greece, I have played Monopoly with my friend… But in my country we play a game where you are a white nationalist and kill all the n*****s and gays."

Husband and wife Sunny and Shay Grewal host a show on BBC Radio London. (Getty Images)
Husband and wife Sunny and Shay Grewal host a show on BBC Radio London. (Getty Images)

Shay interrupted: "Right.” But the conversation was allowed to carry on with the caller repeatedly using the N-word in quick succession.

Sunny then went on to ask the guest further questions, saying: "Maybe I'm losing you in translation. Explain to me when did you first discover Monopoly?"

After they explained, he added: "Thank you for sharing that with us, I really appreciate that."

He also asked what they "wanted to add to the conversation" about the bullying controversy surrounding Priti Patel.

The caller answered: "I want to say that I f***ing hate n*****s."

The call then ended and Sunny said: "I'm sorry, just check that Will. I don't understand where he was going with that conversation but he's obviously someone who doesn't understand how you come on to engage here on the radio."

Sunny and Shay made a second on-air apology on the show the following evening.

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Shay said: “We would like to make a comment to you. This is a show where Sunny and I like to have respectful discussions about lots of different subjects. Last night however, that didn’t happen, and Sunny and I would like to take a moment to apologise again for the offensive language that was heard. We both are personally very, very sorry that this happened.

Radio presenter and former I’m A Celebrity contestant Iain Lee commented in a now deleted tweet: “Why did BBC London allow a caller on to say 'I f***ing hate N words and gays' over and over again? Absolutely incredible listening. The host asked him more questions after he'd said it!"

Actor Jassa Ahluwalia said: “Love to @SunnyandShay, wonderful broadcasters who consistently champion under represented voices on @BBCRadioLondon. Was once out of my depth with an aggressive guest at an event, Sunny came to my rescue and made sure I was okay. This apology is heartfelt.”

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