The BBC last night refused to budge on their decision not to sack Strictly's Anton Du Beke, after the dancer and TV presenter called his partner Laila Rouass a "P***". Another BBC employee Carol Thatcher was sacked from The One Show after using the term "golliwog", but the BBC say the circumstances are different because Anton has apologised unreservedly, while Carol refused to say sorry. Simon Cowell has apparently been on hand to comfort Laila Rouass, who is said to be devastated that the whole incident has been made public. After calling Simon in tears to say she couldn't make his birthday party at the weekend, the X Factor judge had some words of wisdom for her, and eventually managed to cheer her up. One friend said, "Simon was brilliant. He was just what she needed. When she got to the party he and Sinitta looked after her." Insiders at the BBC are determined to draw a line under the entire incident, with one source explaining, "Laila has forgiven Anton and that's what really matters. He is utterly mortified and realises it was a totally unacceptable thing to say." Are you still angry with Anton, or are you, like, sooo over the whole thing now?
Anton will not be sacked