Danny Baker sacked from BBC over 'racist' tweet about royal baby

A BBC spokesperson said the former 5 Live presenter displayed 'a serious error of judgment' with controversial post

Radio host Danny Baker has been fired by the BBC after tweeting about the royal baby using a photo of a chimpanzee.

The 5 Live presenter, 61, was accused of racism after seemingly mocking Meghan Markle’s heritage in a now deleted post that featured an image of two people holding hands with a small monkey dressed in a suit.

He posted it, moments after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed their son, with the caption: “Royal baby leaves hospital.”

Baker’s tweet received a huge backlash on social media with many calling for him to be let go by the BBC.

He confirmed his firing from the station on Twitter, writing: "Just got fired from @bbc5live.”

The broadcaster, who called the tweet an “idiotic” mistake, has since insisted he's not racist in an interview with Sky News

A BBC spokesperson said: “This was a serious error of judgment and goes against the values we as a station aim to embody. Danny’s a brilliant broadcaster but will no longer be presenting a weekly show with us.”

Baker issued an angry reply to the news on social media, accusing bosses of "throwing him under the bus."

Upon receiving backlash to the tweet, Baker swiftly removed it and commented: “Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased.

“Soon as those good enough to point out it’s possible connotations got in touch, down it came. And that’s it.”

The royal baby – whose name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor – was born on Monday 6 May before making his first public appearance at Windsor Castle two days later.