TV presenter Alex Housden apologises for saying her black co-anchor Jason Hackett 'looks like a gorilla'

A US TV presenter has delivered a tearful apology to her black co-host after likening him to a baby gorilla.

Oklahoma City morning news anchor Alex Housden clutched Jason Hackett’s arm as she apologised live on air “not only to my colleague, but to our entire community.”

"I said something yesterday that was inconsiderate, it was inappropriate, and I hurt people," the KOCO 5 presenter sobbed.

"And I want you to know I understand how much I hurt you out there and how much I hurt you," she said, turning to Mr Hackett.

Ms Housden was referring to a comment she made on Thursday about an “ape caretaker” who had taken over Oklahoma City Zoo’s Instagram with footage of its primate residents.

Showing a clip of a baby gorilla staring playfully into the lense of the camera, Ms Housden could be heard laughing to Mr Hackett: “It kind of looks like you."

Following an outcry by viewers incensed at the comparison, the anchor broadcast her public apology.

"I want you all to know from the bottom of my heart, I apologise for what I said. I know it was wrong and I am so sorry," she said.

Her co-host graciously accepted her response, saying: “I do accept your apology and I do appreciate your apology."

Addressing the audience, Mr Hackett said Ms Housden was “one of his best friends” but what she’d said was “wrong”.

“It cut deep for me and it cut deep for a lot of you in the community, I’ve heard the phone calls and I’ve heard the Facebook messages as well,” he said.

"Coming out of this, I want this to be a teachable moment and the lesson here is that words, words matter. There’s no doubt about that."

Mr Hackett went on to talk about the country’s increasing diversity and said there was “no excuse” for hurtful comments.

"We have to understand the stereotypes, we have to understand each other’s background and the words that hurt," he said.

"The words that cut deep. And we have to find a way to replace those words with love and words of affirmation as well."

Despite Mr Hackett’s words of forgiveness, swathes of social media users were less ready to accept Ms Housden’s apology.

“Apology IS NOT ENOUGH!!! WHY WASN'T SHE FIRED IMMEDIATELY??,” tweeted one user. “KOCO CHANNEL 5 HAS NO MORAL BOUNDARIES????”

“SHE NEEDS TO BE FIRED! PERIOD! ITS WAS PAINFUL TO EVEN READ,” commented another.

“#koco5 If you still employ #alexhousden today, you are an insult to the news industry, and to America. No amount of crying will suffice for employing a racist as an anchor. Do way better than this!” added another.

In a statement to NBC News, KOCO 5 said it would not be commenting on the matter further.

"The apology by Alex and Jason’s acceptance and his comments about the broader issue are the only public comment necessary," the station said.

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