Eamonn Holmes has come under fire after referring to Kerry Katona’s appearance with a racial slur during a live broadcast on GB News.
The former This Morning presenter, 64, made the remark while Katona, 44, was appearing on the channel to discuss cosmetic surgery.
The Atomic Kitten singer had been reflecting on the results of a facelift carried out last year when Holmes described her look as “Oriental”, a term officially recognised as offensive and removed from government usage in 2021.
“Are you happy with the eyes?” Holmes asked, before Katona explained she had undergone the procedure to ease heaviness around her eyes.
She replied: “I had them done over a year ago now. You know all it was I could... it was making my eyes feel a bit heavy so I had an uplift. But what I don't like is when...”
But was then cut off by Holmes who said: "And you don't look Oriental or anything do you?" leaving Katona visibly stunned.
The TV personality looked taken aback before clarifying that she did not, and that she was pleased with the results.
After the segment ended, Holmes delivered an apology for using the slur.
However, appearing frustrated, he pressed the point further, adding: “Apparently you're not allowed to describe someone as looking oriental or... I don't know how I would end up describing Kerry Katona if her eyes change shape.
“I don't know how I'm going to say does she look like someone from some other country in the eastern of the world... The world is ridiculous.
“How you have to apologise for people... if she painted herself or... I don't know I can't get into this. But anyway.”
Attempting to move the conversation on, his co-host Ellie Costello added: “But Kerry looks beautiful.”
Holmes then responded: “Kerry looks well, I'm sorry if you don't look well or we have offended you in any way or... oh I don't know.”
The term ‘Oriental’ was removed from race-hate crime reporting categories in 2021, with the Home Office clarifying that it is outdated and offensive.
“This term is offensive,” a spokesperson said at the time.
Sarah Owen, Labour MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hate Crime, has also previously described the term as “incredibly outdated”.
