BBC Apologises After EastEnders Star Uses Racial Slur Live

The BBC has issued an apology after former EastEnders actor John Altman used a racial slur during a live radio interview on BBC Radio 4's World at One, commemorating the show's 40th anniversary. While discussing his experiences on the show, Altman recalled how scripts had changed over the years, particularly mentioning an instance where a racial term was replaced with 'illegal immigrant'. During the interview, when Altman attempted to share the slur, presenter Sarah Montague quickly intervened, stating it was inappropriate to say. Montague later emphasized the importance of avoiding derogatory language in scripts and its potential to influence behavior. The incident has sparked discussions about the evolution of language in media and the reflection of societal values over time. Altman has been a part of EastEnders since its inception in 1985, portraying the character Nick Cotton until his last appearance in 2015.