Karl Stefanovic has addressed on-air jokes about Indians and New Zealanders

KARL stood, hand on heart, and delivered an apology for yesterday’s insensitive comments. Then things went hilariously downhill.

KARL Stefanovic has addressed yesterday’s on-air gaffe that saw him offend both Indians and New Zealanders — and he’s done it in true Karl fashion.

Before throwing to the news bulletin, Karl stood alone on the set and delivered an apology for calling New Zealanders dole bludgers and for asking an Indian cricket fan, “who’s going to be manning 7-Elevens today?”

“For those watching yesterday, I made two remarks that got plenty of you hot under the collar so a mea culpa this morning from me,” he began.

“The comments were only ever intended to be taken in the most lighthearted possible way but as most of you know, I have a way with my misguided sense of humour. In fact as many of you say — and have pointed out — I have no sense at all.

Karl stood alone on set and addressed the comments.

“Firstly to those members of the Indian community — our guest yesterday gave as good as he got and that banter continued in the true spirit of the World Cup after the show. We had a great conversation. He owned me on-air and he owned me off-air.

“It was thought to be fun — it was fun. I enjoyed it, he enjoyed it but some of you didn’t. For anyone interpreting the comments in a different way, my sincere heartfelt apologies. I love India and I love the contribution Indians make across many different vocations in this great country.”

That’s probably where it should have ended. But Karlos took it further.

Dickie was impressed with Karl’s “apology”.

“Our country is richer for having you — and so are our sauces,” he joked.

“For my Kiwi brothers and sisters ... Kia ora. Calling you dole bludgers was an awful, cheap stereotype and just not true. As we all know — you can’t get the dole in Australia.

“Just because you’ve got a cool, happening and effective government and a really, really attractive lot of livestock doesn’t mean I should take the sheep out of you.”

That’s when the camera cut to Dickie Wilkins — who shook his head saying: “This is not going well”.

Wrapping up the routine, Karl said:

“Whack on a pair of jandles, get across the ditch, it’s my shout on Sunday no matter what happens. All of you — four million of you, lets go.”

But it didn’t end there.

Viewers weren’t impressed.

Karl read the feedback out on-air.

Later in the show, after reading out comments from social media about his apology, Karl was presented with an extremely spicy Indian curry which he took a mouthful of to show his solidarity.

Karl had a mouthful out of solidarity.

karlf eeling the heat.

Dickie then decided to invite a “couple of friends” onto the set to “settle the score”.

That’s when a group of traditional Maori dancers came in to perform the Haka.

Karl facing the music.

After the performance, Karl said: “Thank you my man. Beautiful stuff. I love you guys. I love Kiwis that’s what I always say.”

On ya, Karlos.