BBC 'apologises for Ronnie Corbett slur'

The BBC has reportedly apologised to Ronnie Corbett after The One Show's editor Doug Carnegie allegedly made a foul-mouthed jibe about him in an email to colleagues.

According to the Daily Mail, Carnegie described Corbett as a "little ****" last month after hearing that the 79-year-old comedian had pulled out of a planned appearance on the evening programme.

Sources have suggested that the email was sent to the show's celebrity booker but was later forwarded to the entire production team.

An insider commented: "[Ronnie] gave a very reasonable eight days notice but Mr Carnegie's response was to describe him as a 'little ****'. I am not the only member of the team who was disgusted by this email from a highly paid BBC manager."

It is thought that Carnegie, who was already due to leave his post at The One Show in a few weeks, yesterday sent a message of apology to the star's agent after hearing that his email had been made public.

A BBC spokesman said that the corporation would not comment on "private and leaked correspondence".