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BBC 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake told his social media followers he was racially abused outside a pub in Manchester as he waited for his wife.
The host explained he was chatting to a ‘drunk man’ outside a pub in Altrincham and was asked if he was a doctor before being called a p*** and then the N-word.
In a video shared on Twitter, he said: ‘We got talking and he said, “Are you a doctor?” So I started laughing because as an Asian it’s the kind of question you might get asked. And I went, “Why would you ask that?”
‘And he said “because you’re a p***’. Then he went “I guess I can’t say p***’..” Then he said the N-word.’
Nihal continued: ‘Then he kind of looked at me and was like, “Oh sorry, you’re offended aren’t you.” And I said, “Well why did you say that word, why did you need to say that word?”
‘He said, “Oh I’m sorry, I’m a massive C word.”
Nihal Arthanayake addressed the incident on social media (Picture: WireImage)
‘I said, “You’re not a massive C word, you’re just an average one. Dictators are massive C words, you’re just an average one,” it was so weird.’
In a separate tweet, Nihal explained that he wouldn’t name the pub close to where the incident happened.
‘I wont be mentioning the name of the pub because I had a great time in there before encountering that racist man and pubs are finding it hard enough as it is to stay open without being stained unfairly,’ he tweeted.
In a recent update, Nilah shared: ‘Impressed that @gmpolice have already been in touch. Looking at investigating a Racially Aggravated Public Order Offence.’
Since posting about his ordeal online, Nihal has been flooded with messages of support.
Poet Lemn Sissay said: ‘Sorry brother. These invisible guard rails made by the mouth are the last feeble vestiges of the colonial project.
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‘He is lost, a trapped fox, drunk & lonely, cornered by your kindness, shadow boxing himself, in search of meaning: You are strong. You are the absolute shizzle!’
Another follower added: ‘That’s horrible. Sorry to hear that happened to you mate.’
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The host shared the encounter on social media.