Carol Thatcher was in talks over her future as a BBC contributor today after she referred to a tennis player as a "golliwog".

The daughter of the former prime minister made the remark after filming the One Show last Thursday during a conversation with presenter Adrian Chiles and several guests.

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She was immediately challenged about the remark, but only apologised yesterday and dismissed the comment as a "joke".

Thatcher, crowned Queen of the Jungle in the 2005 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, is a regular contributor to the magazine show and the programme's website praises "her dry, self-deprecating wit and tenacious spirit".

A decision has yet to be reached about her future on the show but it is thought Thatcher will not be invited back until she acknowledges that using the word "golliwog" is unacceptable even when apparently in jest.

A BBC spokesman said: "Carol Thatcher has not been dropped from the One Show.

"Talks about the incident are ongoing and we expect a resolution within the next 24 hours."

The remark was made during a conversation about the Australian Open tennis tournament, in reference to a player who had recently been knocked out of the men's singles draw.