Jason 'sorry' for Pakistani joke

Actor Sir David Jason has apologised for a joke he made about Pakistanis on Tuesday morning on national radio.

Speaking on Christian O'Connell's Absolute Radio show the day after the joke was broadcast, the star said it was a "silly little play on words".

He added: "It seems that someone has taken offence or someone is upset by it and for that of course I'm sorry."

Despite no complaints having been made to the station, an Absolute spokeswoman said the joke was "unacceptable".

"The comments made by David Jason were unacceptable and Christian O'Connell distanced himself from them live on air.

"We consider the views of our listeners to be very important and have received no complaints about these comments.

"We will continue to monitor any complaints and Christian O'Connell will issue an on-air apology in tomorrow's breakfast show."

Before the 69-year-old Only Fools and Horses appeared for the second time on the radio, a spokeswoman said he had been "horrified" when hearing he had "given offence".

"He hadn't thought it was a racist joke, but if people took it that way, he's very sorry about it."

Speaking live on air on Tuesday, Sir David said: "What do you call a Pakistani cloakroom attendant?"

After a pause, he said: "Mahatma coat."

The comment was edited out of the show before it was put on the Absolute website as a podcast.

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