The BBC has played down a joke made about Dundee by one of its most respected radio presenters live on air.
Radio 4’s James Naughtie was interviewing Scottish folksinger Julie Fowlis for the Today programme when she explained she did not live in Dundee but was only passing through.
The broadcaster replied: ”Oh, well a lot of people do.”
The Courier was contacted by some upset listeners who interpreted the comment as giving the impression people are choosing to avoid the city.
A BBC spokesman said: ”This was a light-hearted comment made by one Scot to another.”
Dundee’s lord provost Bob Duncan is unconcerned by the remark.
He said: ”This was just a passing reference to Dundee, but, yes, thousands of people do pass through the city every year.
”This will be to attend our universities with their cutting-edge courses or to visit some of our excellent attractions, leisure facilities and parks.
”Dundee Flower and Food Festival, which opens later this month, is the premier event of its kind in the country and brings thousands of visitors to the city.
”Also, the Royal Collection exhibition of Leonardo drawings is making its only Scottish visit to Dundee and we are expecting many people to come to the McManus to see the genius of the artist at first hand.
”The £1 billion waterfront project is putting a major transformation of our city in place and I am sure the V&A will be a huge attraction for visitors.”
In 2010, Naughtie famously apologised to listeners for causing offence when he mispronounced Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s surname.
The presenter inadvertently used an offensive four-letter word which he put down to a ”verbal tangle”.
Photo by Zak Hussein/PA Archive