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Keith Lemon star Leigh Francis apologises for 'offensive' portrayals of black people on Bo' Selecta

Comedian Leigh Francis, who plays popular character Keith Lemon, has apologised for "offensive" portrayals of black people in his show Bo' Selecta.

The 47-year-old posted an emotional video on his Instagram account where he said he had "thought about things".

Referring to his time on the Channel 4 series, he said: "I portrayed many black people. Back then I didn't think anything about it, people didn't say anything, I'm not going to blame other people.

"I've been talking to some people and I didn't realise how offensive it was back then.

"And I just wanna apologise and, you know, say sorry for any upset I caused."

He added: "I guess we're all on a learning journey."

On the sketch show, he portrayed stars including Craig David, Mel B and Michael Jackson by wearing caricature-style masks.

The series ran between 2002 and 2004 and had a number of spin-offs.

Writing on the video's caption, Francis added: "I'm on a constant journey of knowledge and just wanted to say I'm deeply sorry. #blacklivesmatter."

Craig David, who was among those caricatured on the show, said in a 2016 interview with Q magazine that he had made peace with it.

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"To be honest, I didn't really care either way," he said. "He could have eased off, but had that character not happened, I might still be meandering along."

Black Lives Matter protests have taken place across the US and in the UK following the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who was killed when an officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.