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A BBC newsreader has said that Asian and black celebrities are more likely to make it if they have fairer skin.

Tina Daheley, the daughter of first generation Asian parents, posted on social media that “light-skin privilege is REAL”.

She commented alongside a link to a story titled “Do light-skin black celebs have it easier,” which discussed the successes of singers and models including Beyonce and Rihanna.

The 37-year-old, who recently made her BBC News at Six debut, said she was giving her view “as someone of Asian heritage with dark skin".

She wrote: "As someone of Asian heritage with dark skin I can tell you that light-skin privilege is REAL."

A debate about the issue of colourism, defined as prejudice against people who have a darker skin tone, has been growing in recent months.

Last month Radio 1 presenter Maya Jama was criticised for a since deleted tweet she published in 2012 which she claimed was quoted from a comedian.

The tweet read: “’Dark skin b****** shaving their head expecting to look like Amber Rose, when really they end up looking like Michael Jordon’. Looooooooool.”

The 23-year-old offered her “genuine and sincerest apologies”.

And earlier this year Beyonce’s father Matthew Knowles put his daughter’s success down to the colour of her skin.

Knowles claimed that black singers are more likely to get played on the radio and find fame if they have a paler complexion.

Speaking to Ebony magazine he said: “When it comes to black females, who are the people who get their music played on pop radio?

“Mariah Carey, Rihanna, the female rapper Nicki Minaj, my kids, and what do they all have in common?”