Below Deck's Heather Faces Backlash After Using Racial Slur On Show

Below Deck's Heather Chase has left viewers outraged after using a racial slur on the hit reality show.

The chief stewardess used the racial slur while sharing a scene with Black co-star Rayna Lindsey during Monday night's episode (December 13).

The instalment saw the crew go out for dinner and drinks, which culminated in Chase, who is white, screaming the phrase in public right after Lindsey said it.

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The following morning, Chase initially denied using the slur during the night before, but wound up owning up to it and apologising when Lindsey assured her that she did, in fact, say it.

"It's okay, I still love you, I'm just telling you," Lindsey replied.

Following the episode's broadcast, Lindsey took to Instagram Stories to address the situation in a Q&A, describing the experience as "traumatic" and condemning Bravo for not taking adequate action.

"It's like watching a car crash over and over again," she wrote, before adding in later updates that "things kinda get worse" over the season.

Lindsey also responded to a comment that asked if she felt safe and protected by production, writing: "No... Something happens so bad that it becomes impossible to trust anyone.

"With time and the reunion I hope we can unpack everything."

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Lindsey also told her fans to "stay tuned" to find out whether or not Chase apologises, and added: "We aren't and have never been friends if that helps answer your question. I wish her nothing but the best though. She's young and hopefully can learn from these mistakes."

Viewers who watched the broadcast on Monday (December 13) criticised Chase for her actions and for the network and the rest of the cast's response to them:

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Shortly after the episode aired, Chase shared an apology on her Instagram page.

"I am sorry for the hurt my ignorance caused Rayna in tonight's episode," Chase wrote.

"While I apologized to Rayna throughout the season, I cannot express enough how remorseful I am. Part of my responsibility as Chief Stewardess is to provide a welcoming, safe environment for the crew and I fell short.

"Over the past nine months since this episode was filmed, I have learned how my words and actions can affect others and I vow to do better in the future."

Digital Spy has reached out to Bravo for comment.