Estelle fury at Newsnight interview with Dizzee

Singer Estelle has hit out at Jeremy Paxman and accused him of patronising rapper Dizzee Rascal.

"Out of line": Estelle raps Newsnight's Paxman

The American Boy star said the Newsnight host was "disrespectful" during his interview with Dizzee, who appeared on the BBC2 programme in November after Barack Obama's presidential election victory.

Some viewers complained after Paxman asked London-born Dizzee, real name Dylan Mills: "Mr Rascal, do you feel yourself to be British?"

Dizzee, 23, replied: "Of course I'm British man! It don't matter what colour you are, it matters what colour your heart is and your intentions.

" A black man, purple man, Martian man can run the country... as long as he does right by the people."

"Disrespectful": Paxman asked Dizzee if he feels he is British

But Estelle, 28, said his appearance on the show was "crazy" and said Dizzee had been taken for "an idiot". She said: "That was out of line. Paxman's not going to get away with asking me do I think I'm British. That's disrespectful."

The Mercury-nominated singer added: "I'd want to question him - and make him feel like an idiot.

"It was the look on Jeremy Paxman's face. I was like, 'He [Paxman] is taking you for an idiot right now!' "

Dizzee said he felt excited about the election of a black US president.

Paxman asked him: "Dizzee Rascal, do you believe in political parties in Britain?" to which he replied: "Yeah, they exist. I believe in 'em... I don't know if it makes a difference." Paxman then asked him if he'd consider running for office. Dizzee said: "I might have to one day. Dizzee Rascal for prime minister, yeah! Wassappenin'!"

Estelle said: "I felt so disappointed because Dizzee has come so far as an artist and a businessman."