Jonathan Ross criticises BBC record on employing ethnic minorities on morning radio show

The BBC has been forced to defend its record on employing ethnic minorities after being criticised on air by one of its star presenters.

Jonathan Ross claimed on his Saturday morning Radio 2 show on 3 March that the corporation tended to employ black people as security guards or cleaners, and not on “proper shows”.

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Ross – who reportedly earns £6m a year – suggested that BBC managers “haven’t got there yet” in terms of racial equality in employment.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said the corporation was committed to ensuring a “diverse workforce”, and that Ross was expressing a personal opinion.