The BBC has been forced to apologise to travellers and gypsies after Kent actor Orlando Bloom said the word “pikey” on Radio 1.

The Pirates and Caribbean star uttered the term during a radio interview with Nick Grimshaw this morning to promote his new film Unlocked.

When Nick asked the Canterbury-born actor whether he did his own stunts, Orlando replied: “I’m still a pikey from Kent, boy, I’m still a pikey from Kent. You don’t want to get on the wrong side of me, boy.”

The phrase is widely recognised as a derogatory term for gypsies and travellers and its use angered some listeners.

Angree Bindii wrote on Twitter: “No, Orlando Bloom on @R1Breakfast @BBCR1, you’re not a ‘pikey from kent’. It’s a racist slur! #radio1 #traveller #gypsy #racism.”

Another wrote: “I love that Orlando Bloom keeps saying pikey on Radio 1 when there was a whole feature on there about how offensive that is the other day.”

After the interview, Nick told listeners: “Great to have him on the show but apologies if you were offended by anything that Orlando may have said earlier on. He's a bit of a loose cannon.”

Orlando, 40, whose mum Sonia still lives in Canterbury, is no stranger to “pikeys”.

When his son Flynn was born to his former wife Miranda Kerr in 2010 he was spotted celebrating later by downing tequila shots at a bar called Pikey’s in Agoura Hills, California.

Orlando was on the breakfast show promoting his new action thriller Unlocked whihc opens next Friday (May 5).

He also returns to the role of Will Turner for the first time in a decade in Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge which opens on May 26.