Reggie Yates Has Stood Down From "Top Of The Pops Christmas" Following A Jewish Slur

    "I can see clearly that the words I used reinforced offensive stereotypes, and that there is no context which would justify such remarks," the presenter said in a statement.

    Reggie Yates has stood down from presenting this year's Top of the Pops Christmas and New Year specials, following remarks he made on a podcast while promoting his autobiography.

    Earlier this year, Yates was a guest on the Halfcast Podcast. During a discussion about grime artists, Yates said: "The thing that makes it sick about this new generation of artists is that they aren't signing to majors, they are independent."

    Yates apologised for his comments last month, and apologised again yesterday in a statement he tweeted, saying that he will stand down from hosting the BBC music show.

    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.

    In a statement to BuzzFeed News, the BBC said: “We take these issues very seriously and Reggie is in no doubt about the BBC’s view of his comments.”