Orlando Bloom has been slammed after he used the word ‘pikey’ on a British radio show yesterday. The BBC issued a formal apology after the Pirates of the Caribbean actor made the error while being interviewed on Radio 1 by Nick Grimshaw. A spokesperson for the corporation 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.’
Bloom made the claim when he was questioned about doing his own stunts. He said ‘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.’ Host Nick Grimshaw apologised after the interview adding that it was great to have Orlando on the show. Despite referring to himself as a ‘pikey’ Bloom was born into a very wealthy family and is named after Orlando Gibbons the composer.
The comment drew a mixed reaction from social media but most listeners didn’t seem too offended by what Bloom said. ‘If Orlando Bloom is a pikey from Kent then I am too x’ – one listener posted. Another added ‘Just seen this whole Orlando Bloom “Pikey” issue guys come on, he was calling himself it not anyone else. Focus on real issues please.’