Radio 1 were forced to apologise to listeners after Orlando Bloom used the word 'pikey' during a live interview.
Bloom was conducting an interview with Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw when he used the word.
The pair were discussing whether or not Bloom still does his own stunts for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies when Bloom said: "I'm still a pikey from Kent, boy, I'm still a pikey from Kent. You don't want to get on the wrong side of me, boy."
Grimshaw apologised to listeners after the interview.
"He's a bit of a loose cannon. Apologies if you were offended by anything that Orlando may have said."
Many listeners took to Twitter to express their disappointment with Bloom for using the term.
No, Orlando Bloom on @R1Breakfast @BBCR1, you're not a 'pikey from kent'. It's a racist slur! #radio1 #traveller #gypsy #racism
— angree bindii (@angreebindii) April 26, 2017
I love that Orlando Bloom keeps saying pikey on Radio 1 when there was a whole feature on there about how offensive that is the other day 😬
— wann™ (@neversquare) April 26, 2017
Take responsibility for your use of this Offensive term Orlando Bloom an apology is needed 'pikey' term on Radio 1 https://t.co/BtZ8agF2Dx
— Ben Bennett (@BenBennett26) April 27, 2017
Bloom himself explained his use of the word after the interview.
"I've come from Kent and I grew up with a lot of, like, freewheeling, cool, interesting characters like that."
"I certainly wasn't taking a slant at that at all. I'm very respectful." he added.
Via Independent UK
