Former Coronation Street actor Ken Morley appeared on ITV’s Loose Women today to defend his behaviour following his removal from the Celebrity Big Brother house.
During the interview Ken was challenged by presenter Ruth Langsford over his continual use of offensive language during his time in the house and in particular following his conversation with housemate Alexander O’Neal. Ken said: “With Alexander, we were discussing terminology in the Americas and I said to him Martin Luther King used this word, which is the short word beginning with ‘N’ not the big nasty one to define what a black man was in America in the 60s. He used that word to say ‘I Am A …’, can’t say the word. The American army now use the word to describe an infantry. It’s not an insolent word, it has got outdated, granted. I understand that.”
Loose Women panelist Jamelia asked Ken if he though his language was offensive now he’s had time to reflect to which Ken replied, “It’s a logical word in the dictionary. I don’t think it is. I think it’s an outdated expression. I certainly wouldn’t go up to somebody and say ‘excuse me, are you a … the word I used.”
Pushed further by Jamelia to explain why it was ok to use ‘racist language’ when he’d been told it was offensive, Ken said, “Alright, I put my hands up and say the word shouldn’t be used but it is an old fashioned word.”
Panelist Janet Street Porter offered Ken the opportunity to apologise. He said, “I apologise unreservedly to everybody who watched that programme. I apologise if I disappointed you by saying what I said. It was banter in a odd situation. I understand entirely that I’ve upset a lot of people from everywhere in the world, not just this country, from Africa, from the Caribbean. I apologise unreservedly to you now for upsetting you and I hope you accept that apology. I am not a racist, never have been. I taught black children in London and everywhere.”
On what his wife thought of his behaviour, Ken said: “The thing is she understands some of the stuff that’s about to come out and what’s about to come out is very, very nasty and you won’t have seen any of it but when you see it it’s not what you think believe me. I know everybody here is making a decision about me today but you’ll change your mind when you see it.”
Ken’s former CBB housemate Jeremy Jackson appeared on ITV’s This Morning earlier today to discuss his behaviour in the house that led to his removal.
