Radio DJ apologises over 'nasty nip' remark

Radio 1 has issued an apology after DJ Edith Bowman read out an email referring to the Japanese as "nasty Nips."

The presenter made the on-air gaffe during her afternoon show yesterday.

As part of a discussion about modern slang terms she read out the listener's email, which said: "When the weather is a little cold, we say that it's a bit Pearl Harbour, meaning that there's a nasty Nip in the air."

Bowman apologised on the show and Radio 1 later issued a statement.

"Edith was reading out a number of slang terms sent in by listeners and read this particular erm in error."

"No offence was intended and Edith apologised on air for any that may have been caused," the statement said.

The gaffe comes a month after a vicar was branded racist for publishing a similar joke in his parish newsletter.

Writing a column about the changing of the seasons, Rev Michael Wishart, priest at St Mary's in Bishops Lydeard, Somerset, said: "The mornings have a decidedly autumnal feel to them, there's a little nip in the air. Which is what they said when they hanged the Japanese criminal."

Mr Wishart later apologised and described the joke as a "throwaway line."

Radio 1 said it had received no complaints from listeners about the item.