Racist language: British TV host sorry

Clarkson became embroiled in a racism controversy after a tabloid published a clip of him apparently using the N-word while reciting the nursery rhyme 'Eeny, meeny, miny, moe' during filming. The clip which was recorded several years ago, was never shown on TV.

Clarkson had initially denied using racist language. But he later said that he had "mumbled where the offensive word would normally occur" despite trying not to, and that he was mortified by the mistake.

The BBC said on Friday that it is taking the incident seriously. Clarkson, a household name in Britain, had previously sparked complaints with allegedly racist comments about people from Mexico and Asia.

The presenter, known for his humorous but brash, blunt style, released a video on Twitter on Thursday apologizing and saying that he had tried to avoid the racist expression used in a wellknown older version of the rhyme.