TV news anchor Alex Housden apologises for comparing her black co-host to a 'gorilla'

TV anchor Alex Housden has apologised after comparing her black co-anchor to a gorilla on the air.

Housden and Jason Hackett co-host the morning news on KOCO 5, an ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City.

On Thursday, Housden was commenting on a segment involving a gorilla at the Oklahoma City Zoo who had taken over the venue’s Instagram account.

As a video of the ape played on the screen, Housden told Hackett: “[He] kind of looks like you.”

That segment ended shortly afterwards. Housden’s remarks were met with outrage on social media, where some have called for her to be fired.

Housden addressed the topic again the next day, when she issued a tearful apology.

“I’m here this morning because I want to apologise not only to my co-anchor Jason, but to our entire community,” she said.

“I said something yesterday that was inconsiderate. It was inappropriate, and I hurt people.”

Housden told Hackett she considers him one of her best friends, adding: “I would never do anything on purpose to hurt you.”

“I apologise for what I said,” she added. “I know it was wrong and I am so sorry.”

Hackett accepted Housden’s apology and called her a friend.

“All that being said, and Alex will be the first to admit this to you, what she said yesterday was wrong,” he added. “It cut deep for me and it cut deep for a lot of you in the community.”

He highlighted the importance of “[understanding] the stereotypes” and “each other’s backgrounds” and “the words that cut deep”.

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“We have to find a way to replace those words with love and words of affirmation as well,” Hackett said.

The Independent has contacted KOCO 5 for comment.