Casualty’s Tom Chambers left ‘mortified’ as he apologises for BBC gender pay gap comments

Tom Chambers has apologised for appearing to defend the BBC gender pay gap, insisting his comments were “taken out of context”.

The Casualty star, 40, was accused of harking back to a “1950’s mindset” after he claimed men have to earn more to support their wives.

Chambers – who plays paramedic Sam Strachan in the BBC soap – told The Sun: “My wife works really hard as a stay-at-home mum, but I’m the only one bringing in a salary for our family.

“Many men’s salaries aren’t just for them, it’s for their wife and children, too.”

The actor has since issued an apology, insisting he did not mean to offend and that he “truly believes that change needs to happen.”

In a statement he said: “I am completely mortified by the stories that have run today and didn’t mean to offend anyone by my comments which have been taken out of context from a conversation I had at a book launch.

“I in no way advocate the gender pay gap and I was explaining that I thought it had stemmed from that past, and shouldn’t be how things are now.

“I truly believe that change needs to happen.”

Chambers – who wasn’t among the 96 names earning £150,000 or more from the broadcaster – made the “offensive” comments as he addressed his co-star Derek Thompson's £350,000 - £399,999 pay packet.

Speaking about the highest-earning male actor on the BBC payroll, he said: “It’s like being a footballer – you earn your credits. I’ve just done six months on Casualty, but Derek has done 31 years of service.

“That means arriving in the dark at 6am and leaving when it’s dark at 9pm. It’s demanding stuff.”