Paula Deen Given The Boot By The Food Network Following Racism Row

Paula Deen will not be returning to the Food Network, the broadcaster said on Friday (June 21), confirming their decision with numerous press outlets. The announcement came just after the celebrity chef posted a video apology online asking for forgiveness from those who took offense to the news that she has used racial slurs in the past.

Deen's fall from kitchen Goddess to KKK poster girl has followed her all week and culminated in the extermination of her contract with the Food Network, and it all stemmed from the leaking of some court documents in which the cook admitted to using the n-word on multiple occasions. Deen was speaking with an attorney questioning her under oath last month who ask whether she has used the N-word before, to which she responded, "yes, of course," though she added, "It's been a very long time."

Deen has been a regular of the Food Network since 2002 when the network first aired Paula's Home Cooking. Her contract with the network comes to an end this month and the channel announced that they will not be continuing their time with the disgraced cook. Despite constantly pleading her case online, Deen did herself no favours on Friday when she failed to show up on Today, where she was due to discuss the allegations of racism. She explained her absence from the show in her video message, but that wasn't enough to keep her from being kicked to the curb by the Food Network. She said in her video, "I was invited this morning to speak with Matt Lauer about a subject that has been very hurtful for a lot of people and Matt, I have to say, I was physically unable this morning. The pain has been tremendous that I have caused to myself and to others."

On May 17 2012, a discrimination lawsuit was filed by a former employee, Lisa Jackson, who had once managed Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House, the restaurant owned by Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers. The ex-employee says she was regularly harassed and worked in a hostile environment that was often rife with racist and sexist remarks. Deen denies the allegations put against her eatery.

Deen has apologised for her mistakes

But the Food Network say sorry's not good enough.