BBC forced to apologise to travellers after Orlando Bloom said the word ‘pikey’ on Radio 1
The actor uttered the term during a radio interview with Nick Grimshaw
THE BBC has been forced to apologise to travellers after Orlando Bloom said the word "pikey" on Radio 1.
The actor uttered the term during a radio interview with Nick Grimshaw to promote his new film Unlocked.
When Nick asked Orlando about whether he does his own stunts, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor replied: "I'm still a pikey from Kent, boy, I'm still a pikey from Kent. You don't want to get on the wrong side of me, boy."
The phrase is widely recognised as a derogatory term for Gypsies and Travellers and the use of it on Radio 1 angered some listeners.
RUDE SLANG Where has the word 'pikey' come from?
In the 16th century - the word was associated with constant travel.
Pikey is directly derived from pike which means to "go away from, to go on" and is related to words such as turnpike (tollroad).
In the 19th century, The Times referred to strangers who had come to the Isle of Sheppey as "pikey-men" and later became associated with gypsies.
Its Kentish usage became more widespread, as it was also used to include all of the travelling groups who came to the county as "pickers" in the summertime of fruit and hops.
Today it is still associated with gypsies and the traveller community and is seen to be a derogatory term.
Angree Bindii wrote on Twitter: "No, Orlando Bloom on @R1Breakfast @BBCR1, you're not a 'pikey from kent'. It's a racist slur! #radio1 #traveller #gypsy #racism."
Another user wrote: "I love that Orlando Bloom keeps saying pikey on Radio 1 when there was a whole feature on there about how offensive that is the other day."
After the interview, Nick said: "Great to have him on the show, but apologies if you were offended by anything that Orlando may have said earlier on."
A BBC spokesperson said: "As with any live broadcast, we take great care to ensure all guests are briefed about their language before going on air. We apologised to listeners afterwards for any offence caused."
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After the interview Hollywood star Bloom said: "I've come from Kent and I grew up with a lot of, like, freewheeling, cool, interesting characters like that.
"I certainly wasn't taking a slant at that at all. I'm very respectful."
In October university students were slammed for a "pikey" themed night.
The group set off fireworks and fire extinguishers after the student union at the University of Reading’s School of Agriculture, Policy and Development disaffiliated from their society for wearing blacked faces.
The students left a trail of wheelie bins, a couch and traffic cones behind them as they donned tracksuits and vest tops to parade through the town.
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