LONDON - What was meant to be a friendly chat to promote the new "X-Men" movie turned into a frosty discussion about race on a popular morning radio program, but the British Broadcasting Corp. defended its disc jockey.
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry appeared on Chris Moyles' Radio One breakfast show Thursday morning and clashed with her host after he impersonated what he described as a "big, fat, black guy."
"Are we having a racist moment here?" Berry asked Moyles after she took exception to his impersonation. Moyles said he just couldn't do American accents.
"There was nothing racist in what Chris said, and he made that clear on air," a BBC spokesman said Friday on condition of anonymity, in line with the corporation's policy.
The exchange began when Hugh Jackman, Berry's "X-Men: The Last Stand" co-star, jokingly suggested that Moyles might take the role of his body double if he ever landed the part of James Bond.
"I could definitely do that," Moyles said before adding, "Put your hands in the air!"
A somewhat puzzled Jackman replied, "Are you some kind of Brooklyn Bond?"
Moyles replied: "I'm a black American guy. A big, fat, black guy. Put your hands up in the air."
The interview continued, though the DJ later said Berry was "ratty" - British slang for grouchy.
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FOX newsMore on the incident:
The incident occurred when Moyles told Jackman he would make a good James Bond, and the actor joked the chubby presenter could act as his double.
The DJ said: "Your Bond double? I could definitely do that."
He then put on an American accent and said: "Put your hands up in the air!"
Hugh asked: "Are you some kind of Brooklyn Bond?"
Moyles replied: "I'm a black American guy. A big fat black guy.
Put your hands up in the air. I don't wanna be shooting yo ass."
Stunning Halle then snapped: "Are we having a racist moment here?"
Moyles insisted he was just bad at US accents.
But he later sniped: "She just didn't like me did she? She's ratty isn't she? What a total shame. But who cares? Just don't come on the show and bring it down."
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