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Kilroy-Silk stepped down on Friday as presenter of his daily topical discussion programme after 17 years in the role, following the publication of anti-Arab comments in an article in the Sunday Express two weeks ago.

On Friday the BBC and Kilroy-Silk announced that the show will be back on BBC One in the next few weeks after it was suspended last week. The programme will continue to be produced by Kilroy Television Company and will be hosted by a number of guest presenters for the remainder of the present series.

It is likely the show will be back on television in three weeks at the earliest as the BBC searches for presenters. One name being mentioned as a possible presenter is Michael Portillo the conservative MP who is standing down from Parliament.

If the programme is sold to Five it could replace Five's morning programme 'The Terry and Gaby Show'.

Kilroy-Silk said he had been overwhelmed by the support from the general public, and that he continues to believe that it is his right "to express my views, however uncomfortable they may be".

He said he would continue to lead the Kilroy Television and in addition to its existing commitments to the BBC, it would be bringing new ideas and programmes to the BBC and other broadcasters.

His column in the Express called Arab states "barbarous" and accused them of making little contribution to the world other than exporting oil and terrorism. He branded Arabs as "suicide bombers, limb amputators and women repressors".

Jana Bennett, director of television at the BBC, said: "I would like to say that this has never been about freedom of speech. Presenters of this kind of programme have a responsibility to uphold the BBC's impartiality.

"This does not mean that people who express highly controversial views are not welcome on the BBC, but they can not be presenters of a news, current affairs or topical discussion programme."

Kilroy-Silk has presented 'Kilroy' since it was first broadcast as 'Day to Day' in November 1986, becoming 'Kilroy' in 1987.

Fifteen series have been produced independently by the Kilroy Television Company for the BBC.

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