TV newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti has claimed she was the victim of racism from her BBC colleagues when she first joined the organisation.
The 58-year-old, who was born into an Indian Bengali family, said some people had suggested she was only given the job "because of the colour of my skin".
Reeta's first job at the BBC was as a radio producer before she moved into TV in 1997.
Speaking about the racism she had experienced, Reeta said it was "never anything systematic", but said it had come from her colleagues.
"I've had one or two tart comments from colleagues who have suggested I've only got the job because of the colour of my skin," she explained.
Reeta said she simply rolled her eyes, but would "get back at them more" if it were to happen now she's older.
"I've always just tried to remind myself that it’s their problem, not mine. It says more about them than it ever does about you," she told Good Housekeeping
The TV news anchor suggested newsrooms need to "look mixed" in order to attract a more diverse workforce.
She said the BBC has been trying to improve diversity over the years.
She told the publication: "It's something the BBC has been trying to work on for quite some time, but it needs to happen much faster. I'm a bit dismayed sometimes at the slowness of progress."
Reeta said she was also "teased" at school, but said she wouldn't label it racism "because kids just spout what their parents say".
However, she admitted the comments have always stayed with her.
The BBC has previously said that it is "committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the UK."
As part of its diversity plan, it says it is "challenging ourselves to ensure that Diversity and Inclusion is hardwired into everything the BBC does."
The Mirror approached the BBC for comment.
