A BBC presenter has said he is "hugely apologetic" after boasting that popular black music artists are no longer managed by “some random fat Jewish guy from north west London”.

Reggie Yates, a BBC Radio 1 host and TV presenter, made the comments on an internet podcast earlier this month after discussing how the current crop of 'grime' music stars differ from their predecessors.

Speaking on the podcast, Mr Yates said: "The thing that makes it great about this new generation of artists is that they ain’t signing to majors.

“They’re independent, they’re not managed by some random fat Jewish guy from north west London, they’re managed by their brethren.”

His remarks were condemned by the Community Security Trust, who said they reinforced antisemitic stereotypes.

The CST's Dave Rich said: “Even worse than any offence is the message Yates gives his audience by reinforcing an anti-Semitic stereotype”.

Mr Yates had told the podcast that popular grime stars Wretch, Stormzy, Skepta as examples of people who “we’ve all known, that we’ve all come up with”.

“So it’s amazing to see now the example isn’t get hot and then give all of your publishing to these idiots. Or go and give all of your rights to these dickheads over here," he adds.

“It’s now get hot, bring the family in, keep the family close, and win with your people. That’s the example now in music.”

Mr Yates apologised saying: ""I am hugely apologetic for this flippant comment. It was not my intention to offend or reinforce stereotypes, but I’m aware that this could have been interpreted that way and for that I am also deeply sorry.

“What I was actually trying to say was how proud I am of the new generation of artists making their success independently on their own terms and without giving away control or their rights to major labels.”