He made “ill-considered remarks” in a podcast interview.
TV presenter Reggie Yates will not host this year’s Top of the Pops holiday specials after making “ill-considered remarks” in a podcast interview.
Last month, Yates apologised after referring to managers in the music industry as the “fat Jewish guy.”
Speaking on the Halfcast Podcast, Yates said: “The thing that makes it great about this new generation of [music] artists is that they ain’t signing to majors. They’re independent, they’re not managed by some random fat Jewish guy from north-west London, they’re managed by their brethren.’
He has now tweeted to say he has “taken the decision to step down” from hosting the music shows while adding that he’s apologised “unreservedly to the Jewish community”.
Here’s his statement in full: “On a recent podcast, during a discussion about grime artists, I made some ill-considered remarks which have hurt many people. I can see clearly that the words I used reinforced offensive stereotypes, and that there is no context which would justify such remarks. My comments are no reflection on how I truly feel, and I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Jewish community, people in the music industry and anyone else I have offended. This has been, and continues to be a huge learning experience for me, and on reflection, I have taken the decision to step down from hosting Top of the Pops this year.”
Regarding this matter, a BBC spokesperson has said: “We take these issues very seriously and Reggie is in no doubt about the BBC’s view of his comments.”
The Top of The Pops Christmas specials are due to air on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
I am stepping down from hosting Top of the Pops this year, please see below pic.twitter.com/dJfLETzbL3
— REGYATES (@REGYATES) December 4, 2017
