Deaker feels heat over N-word slur

Sports broadcaster Murray Deaker. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Sports commentator Murray Deaker has drawn criticism from the Race Relations Commissioner after describing someone on his Sky TV show as "working like a n*****".

Commissioner Joris de Bres told Fairfax Media the phrase was "not appropriate".

"Some of these phrases have a long history and it appears Murray Deaker is from that generation. It's not acceptable to describe someone as working like a n*****."

Deaker, who has hosted several controversial moments on his talk show, was describing a person who ran a sheep farm on Wednesday night.

Sky Television spokesman Tony O'Brien said the network had not received any complaints about Deaker's comments.

"I'm not defending him, but that's a phrase that's widely used."

Fairfax reported Deaker was not available for comment

- NZPA