The BBC has issued an apology after Len Goodman has faced backlash for comments he made while presenting during the live Queen’s Platinum Jubilee coverage.
At one point ahead of the Platinum Jubilee pageant coverage this weekend, the Strictly Come Dancing veteran said his nan used to call curry powder “foreign muck”.
The 78-year-old appeared live on the BBC alongside Masterchef presenter John Torode and host Kirsty Young.
The group were discussing the different food those celebrating would be eating during the Jubilee, sampling jubilee pudding, a lemon and amaretti trifle created by Jemma Melvin.
“Everyone is serving up different dishes at their street parties, are you a cook, Len?” Jemma asked Len at one point.
Len replied: “No, I’m hopeless, honestly. My wife did coronation chicken yesterday for our tea, I have never had it before.
“I have never had curry and curry powder, no. My nan used to call it 'foreign muck', so I have been always worried about it.
“But I must say, it was delicious, it was tasty. So yep I had my first sampling of coronation chicken yesterday.”
His comments sparked outrage on Twitter, with many expressing their anger over the remarks.
One person said: "I wonder if the BBC is cringing the same way I am? Len Goodman talking about "foreign muck" on a show that is being broadcasted around the world. I don't think this is helping Britain's global image."
Another social media user called for Len to apologise, writing: “Petition to get the BBC and Len Goodman to apologise for his choice of words calling Coronation Chicken “foreign muck” in the words of his nan, apparently.
“Appalling and NO excuses because of his age. We forgive older generations for things like this too much.”
Another person wrote: "Len Goodman showing his disdain for curry flavour and remembering how his nan used to refer to foreign food as ‘muck’ is not the greatest start to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant which focuses on diversity in the UK.”
Later in the coverage, commentator Clare Balding later apologised for remarks made earlier in the show.
A BBC spokesman has now confirmed to The Telegraph that Balding’s apology was “related to remarks made during the section of the show” in which Goodman made his comments.
A representative of Len Goodman has been contacted for comment.
