Sikh comedian suspended for `acting inappropriately`

An Indian-origin broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli has been dropped for `acting inappropriately`.

London, July 13: The British Broadcasting Corporation has dropped Indian-origin broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli from a popular television show after he admitted "stepping over the mark" with a female researcher. BBC`s The One Show, a topical news programme, suspended the high-profile father of two for six months after a female colleague complained of his inappropriate behaviour with her.

The 39-year-old comedian will take the time away from The One Show "to reflect on his behaviour", the BBC said, adding Kohli has "apologised unreservedly" since the complaint was made by a production colleague several months ago. Kohli admitted he "overstepped the mark". "Nobody has accused me of sexual harassment. I recognise I overstepped the mark and have apologised unreservedly," said Kohli, the author of "Indian Takeaway: One Man`s Attempt to Cook His Way Home". A BBC spokeswoman said Sunday the unnamed woman had "acknowledged that One Show management took the issue extremely seriously". "He was reprimanded and immediately apologised. He agreed to take some time away from the show to reflect on his behaviour. This leave of absence has been agreed to be six months," the spokeswoman said. Kohli`s ban only applies to The One Show and not other BBC programmes, the BBC said. In February, The One Show fired Carol Thatcher - the journalist daughter of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher - after she allegedly referred to a tennis player as a "Golliwog" off-air. Thatcher, despite being challenged by those gathered after the filming of the show, also used terms "golliwog frog" and "halfgolliwog" to refer to the black tennis player of French-African origin. Thatcher`s spokesman said she used the term informally as a joke, but the joke did not wash with the BBC. IANS