BBC forced to apologise as EastEnders star says racial slur live on air
"It wasn't appropriate in the old days, and it wasn't appropriate now"THE BBC was forced to apologise after an EastEnders star said a racial slur live on air. Last night EastEnders marked its 40th anniversary with a live episode - k.i.l.l.i.n.g off one of its most iconic characters in the process.
THE BBC was forced to apologise after an EastEnders star said a racial slur live on air.
Last night EastEnders marked its 40th anniversary with a live episode – k.i.l.l.i.n.g off one of its most iconic characters in the process.
![RGJN1E Sarah Montague [ Lady Brooks ] In Westminster on 29th January 2019.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RGJN1Ejpg-JS875670588.jpg?strip=all&w=702)
![Eastenders. **EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2008**<br />
BBC<br />
Picture Shows: Dot Branning [JUNE BROWN] Nick Cotton [JOHN ALTMAN]</p>
<p>TX: BBC One Friday 9th January 2009</p>
<p>Dot attempts to reason with Nick, pleading with him to consider the importance of family. Whilst pleading with him, Dot rushes to prevent Nick sitting on the cushion in the living containing the money. Dot feels pressured to bring Dotty to live with her. Nick alludes to a caravan that he has lined up, and Dot finally cracks as they go to leave. Shooting Nick a black look, Dot agrees to his demand. Nick responds by demanding payment for the new arrangement. Dot is aghast as her new responsibility begins to dawn on her.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1_eastendersejpg-JS4282047.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And John Altman, who starred as Nasty Nick Cotton, appeared on Radio 4 to reflect on his memories from the set.
Speaking to Sarah Montague about working with the late June Brown, who played Dot Cotton, he said: “During the early days with June it was really flexible.
“You didn’t have to ask permission to have a cigarette. You could just do it. June and I used to improvise…
“We knew our characters so well. We wouldn’t change it drastically. We’d put in words or a line here and there to make it comical. Just to liven it up a bit.”
John first appeared on the soap in 1985 and was last seen in Walford in 2015.
And he told how different filming is these days compared to the 80s, claiming EastEnders bosses once changed a racial slur in the script during a take.
Repeating the word, Nick said: “I suppose I can say it on air.”
But Sarah said: “No, I don’t think we can [say that].”
John insisted “people do unfortunately still say it these days” but she cautioned: “They don’t.”
Sarah later said: “Can I apologise. It wasn’t appropriate in the old days, and it wasn’t appropriate now, for what John Altman said.”
EastEnders fans were treated to the return of some huge characters this week to tie in with the milestone anniversary.
Ross Kemp was back as bad boy Grant Mitchell after brother Phil [Steve McFadden] suffered heartbreaking mental health issues.
And following the explosion in the Queen Vic, Anita Dobson was back when Sharon Watts had a vision of mum Angie Watts as she lay under the rubble.
