Paul Merton: Refused to put Welsh in Room 101

The threat has been linked in reports to the 57-year-old's decision to want to place Welsh people in Room 101 on the hit BBC2 show.

Ms Robinson's comments prompted hundreds of complaints after saying the Welsh were "annoying" and she asked "what are they for?"

She urged presenter Paul Merton to banish her pet hates to the Room 101 wastebin.

Her comments were also attacked in Parliament by the Commons Welsh Select Committee.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The Metropolitan Police Service are investigating an item of malicious correspondence sent to a female presenter in her 50s at BBC TV Centre."

The BBC has refused to comment on the threat.

A spokesman said: "While we take the security of our staff seriously it would not be right for us to discuss security arrangements publicly."

Noel Sullivan - from popstars Hear'Say - said Ms Robinson's comments were "bang out of order". The Cardiff-born singer said he was angered by the programme.

Ms Robinson is embarking on a new career in the United States, where she will present the hit programme The Weakest Link.

But Welsh Americans have pledged to make life difficult for the outspoken TV presenter following her "racist" jibes.

Martyn Jones MP: Writing to Greg Dyke

A prominent Welsh-born lawyer has sworn to take on her new employer - broadcasting giant NBC - if it goes ahead with plans to use her in a transatlantic version of the quiz show The Weakest Link.

And there are plans to fight for her visa to be blocked, so that she cannot work in the country.

Despite around 500 complaints about the programme Room 101 the BBC refused to cancel a repeat of the show on Sunday night, which attracted further complaints.

Protests

North Wales Police has confirmed it has been investigating a complaint by a member of the public.

Lord Tebbit said the remarks should be "treated with contempt".

"I would make sure when she next appears on the television, switch it off; just ignore the woman."

As well as complaining to the police, Welsh civil rights group Cefn is pressing for legal action against the star and the BBC under the Race Relations Act.

The matter is now to be investigated by the BBC board of governors.

BBC national governor for Wales Roger Jones said he would raise the issue with his colleagues.