‘Sorry’ Yates pulls out of Top of the Pops

REGGIE YATES, a radio show host and BBC presenter, will not present this year’s Top of the Pops Christmas special after a backlash over his comments about how “great” it is that music artists are no longer managed by “some random fat Jewish guy from north-west London”.

He faced accusations of anti-semitism when he made the remarks on a podcast in November. Last night, the BBC said that they “take these issues very seriously” adding: “Reggie is in no doubt about the BBC’S view of his comments.”

Yates issued a statement on Twitter last night, saying his remarks, which The Sunday Telegraph revealed, were “ill considered” and “hurt many people”.

He said: “There is no context that would justify such remarks. I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Jewish community. On reflection, I have decided to step down from hosting Top

of the Pops this year.”