Strictly star wants to 'move on'

Laila Rouass has also appeared in TV series Primeval as Doctor Sarah Page

Former Footballers' Wives actress Laila Rouass says she wants to move on after the row involving Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton Du Beke.

There were calls for him to be sacked after it was claimed he called his partner a "Paki" during training for the BBC One show.

The ballroom dancer has apologised for causing offence and says he was only joking.

Laila Rouass says she's disappointed the story has come out at all.

She said: "I'm quite devastated about it but we've moved on. It was a while back and we've been having a great time since then. We just want everyone else to move on.

"Everything's fine. We've been rehearsing since then, we've done a few dances since then and I just want it to be forgotten about and move on."

The BBC has released a statement saying it does not condone offensive language in the workplace and that "Anton Du Beke has apologised unreservedly to Laila Rouass who has accepted his apology".

The News of the World claimed the dancer used the word two weeks ago after the actress had a spray tan before filming.

In a separate statement Anton Du Beke said: "I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.

"During the course of rehearsals Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used between the two of us.

"There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react.

"I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused."