The BBC has now received over 400 complaints after Strictly Come Dancing contestant Anton du Beke reportedly called his dance partner Laila Rouass a “paki”.

The corporation was last night trying to justify the decision not to boot him off the show while earlier handing out strict punishments to presenters such as Carol Thatcher.

The row emerged when the News of the World revealed that Du Beke had said Laila Rouass “looked like a Paki” after she turned up to a rehearsal with a spray tan two weeks ago.

Ms Rouass was said to have stormed out of the rehearsal.

In a statement issued today Du Beke said: “I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.”

“During the course of rehearsals Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used between the two of us.

He added: “There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react. I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused.”

Laila Rouass has an Indian mother and Moroccan father. She also issued a statement accepting his apology. “It was a situation which happened that we have moved on from and I accept his apology.”

She added: “I’m really enjoying the show and dancing with Anton and hope we can go as far as possible in the competition.”

The BBC has now had to defend itself for keeping Du Beke on the show even though it sacked presenter Carol Thatcher earlier this year for using the word “gollywog” to describe a tennis player. She also apologised once the incident leaked out.

A friend of Ms Thatcher told the News of the World: “It seems there is one rule for one presenter and another for another depending on whether or not you’re expendable for if they need you to present other shows, like Anton Du Beke does.”

The Guardian reported last night that the BBC defended its position with a statement saying: “[Carol Thatcher] maintained it was a joke. When it was explained the term was offensive to lots of people she still refused to offer an unconditional apology. Anton understands that it’s offensive and has unconditionally apologised.”