James Brown apologises for 'racist' BAFTA rant

Celebrity hairdresser James Brown has apologised for insulting TV presenter Ben Douglas by using an "offensive" word at the BAFTA Television Awards, but has also denied that he is racist.

Douglas claimed in a Mail on Sunday article that he was called a "n***er" on eight occasions at the BAFTA ceremony earlier this month. He has so far refused to name the person who engaged in the tirade.

Stylist Brown has now confirmed that he, in fact, used inappropriate language in Douglas's presence and publicly apologised for his remarks, according to a statement released by his spokesperson Stuart Higgins.

Brown said: "I'd like to make a public apology to Mr Douglas, to his friends and to BAFTA for my offensive and stupid comments. The simple truth is that I had drunk far too much on the evening and my behaviour was totally unacceptable."

His statement continued: "Everyone who knows me knows I am not racist in any way whatsoever, but this incident has shown me that my drinking is way out of control and I need to take urgent measures to deal with it… I have been in touch with Mr Douglas and will be writing to him and to the BAFTA organisers to apologise personally. I am very sorry and very embarrassed."

A BAFTA spokesperson reacted to Brown's public apology by commenting that the organisation had not been aware of the incident until Douglas came forward with his allegations over the weekend.

"Neither party has contacted BAFTA directly about the matter but we will be investigating it further," the rep added.

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