The BBC is facing mounting pressure to sack Strictly Come Dancing veteran Anton Du Beke after he called his actress dance partner Laila Rouass a 'Paki'.

The anti-racism campaign Hope Not Hate has called for the corporation to deal with the professional dancer “quickly and decisively” for directing the term at Rouass, who is of Indian and Moroccan descent, after she had a spray tan in preparation for the high-rating show.

A spokesman for Hope Not Hate said: "If calling someone a Paki is not racist behaviour then what is? Quite simply the programme has to ask itself, is it going to condone racism on its show or is it going to deal with it quickly and decisively?”

The BBC, who fired Carol Thatcher from The One Show earlier this year for referring to a tennis player as a golliwog while in the green room, has failed to censure Du Beke, 43, who made the remark off-air during a rehearsal.

As the corporation faced growing outrage over the incident, which occurred a fortnight ago but was revealed by a tabloid at the weekend, a spokeswoman said: “The BBC does not condone offensive language in the workplace."

Today, Hope Not Hate’s spokesman said: "The BBC took a clear line on the Carol Thatcher golliwog comment. If anything this comment is even more offensive."

Reports have suggested Rouass, 38, was gobsmacked by her partner’s behaviour, but Du Beke is scrambling to save his reputation, insisting he had used the term “in jest”.

"I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language,” he said.

"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.

"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.”

The dancer reportedly greeted Rouass as she emerged after a spray tan with the comment: “Oh my God, you look like a Paki!”

It is understood that 15 members of the Strictly team overheard him and watched as Rouass glared at her partner before walking off.

But Rouass, who has an Indian mother and Moroccan father, said she had accepted an apology by Du Beke and had “moved on”.

"It was a situation which happened that we have moved on from and I accept his apology.

"I'm really enjoying the show and dancing with Anton and hope we can go as far as possible in the competition."

It is not the first time Du Beke, who also hosts the BBC One game show Hole in the Wall, has caused controversy. Last year he provoked outrage after saying, "I've no time for fat people, they should all be shot."

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