BBC apologises after pundit describes Ascot racegoers as 'war widows' as Army mourns Afghanistan dead
The BBC has been forced to issue a public apology after its fashion expert described Royal Ascot race-goers as looking like 'war widows' on the day it was announced that four British servicemen had died in Afghanistan.
Pundit James Sherwood, a freelance style writer who has been employed by the broadcaster to comment on fashion issues throughout the five-day meet, made the 'offensive' comment during a live link on Wednesday.
Commenting on two women walking past dressed in black, he said waspishly: 'They look like war widows.'
James Sherwood compared Ascot goers to 'war widows' on the day it was revealed Sarah Bryant and three other British soldiers were killed
His remark prompted 18 complaints to the BBC from viewers, one of which who described it as 'utterly thoughtless and totally offensive'.
The outcry prompted Mr Sherwood to issue an apology, saying: 'I deeply regret the off-the-cuff remark made during a live broadcast. I would like to apologise for the offence this would have caused. It was far from my intention.'
Anchorwoman Clare Balding also made a vague reference to the incident at the start of the BBC's afternoon of live coverage yesterday - but notably failed to identify exactly what the problem was. She said the BBC apologised for any offense caused.
Mr Sherwood will continue to work for the channel, which will broadcast from the final two days of the meet.
Yesterday he put his foot in it again by describing female racegoers as 'heffers' to breakfast show weather presenter Carol Kirkwood .
Chided by a clearly shocked Miss Kirkwood, who told him : 'You can't say that', Mr Sherwood claimed he meant the BBC's decision to issue the most glamorous visitors to the course with rosettes made it seem like a 'cattle market'.
