Not in Ghana!! BBC sacks DJ for playing a song with “N” word

The BBC was accused of ‘appalling’ double standards last night after forcing a veteran DJ to quit after he innocently played an old version of The Sun Has Got His Hat On which featured the ‘N’ word.

David Lowe was ordered by bosses to ‘fall on your sword’ – even though Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson kept his job when he appeared to mumble exactly the same racist term.

Mr Lowe lost his job after playing a 1932 version of the song, performed by Ambrose & His Orchestra, on his Sunday night golden oldies show on BBC Radio Devon.

Unknown to Mr Lowe, a popular presenter who has spent 32 years with the BBC, the second
verse features the line: ‘He’s been tanning n****** out in Timbuktu, now he’s coming back to do the same to you.’

The BBC took action after just one listener complained to say he was ‘horrified’ by what he heard.

But last night the Corporation faced a storm of protest over its treatment of the 68-year-old host, who had immediately offered to apologise on air when he realised his ‘genuine error’.

Friends and colleagues rallied to his support, while fans used Twitter to express their incredulity.

Roy Corlett, Mr Lowe’s former boss at BBC Radio Devon, said: ‘To end David’s career in this way when Clarkson was given a rap on the knuckles is absolutely appalling. It is an outrageous way to treat a loyal and distinguished employee. You couldn’t wish to meet a nicer man.’