A radio presenter who insulted disabled people live on air will be back at work on Saturday.

Andrew Hawes and fellow presenter Ian Hart were suspended from BBC Southern Counties for using the phrase “window licker” – a derogatory term for a disabled person.

The gaffes came after a Brighton and Hove Albion match earlier this month.

Yesterday the BBC confirmed that Mr Hawes will be back on the air for his show on Saturday but refused to confirm whether Mr Hart would be joining him.

A disciplinary hearing for Mr Hawes is reported to have taken place on Friday but a BBC spokeswoman refused to reveal the outcome and said the company would not comment on staff issues.

The Argus understands Mr Hart will face a disciplinary hearing next week.

It seems certain he will be sacked from a post he has held for ten years despite growing calls for his reinstatement.

There is speculation that some BBC executives are privately uneasy about his treatment and would like to see him back hosting the phone-in.

Hart has been buoyed by massive support from senior figures at the Albion and from Seagulls fans and listeners.

The club and a series of charities for the disabled have publicly backed him.

Sussex Seals said its members adored him and that the matter was “political correctness gone extremely mad”.

It was believed just two people, out of 40,000 listeners, officially complained about Mr Hart’s comment. The offending remarks were made during a row about manager Micky Adams after Albion’s win over Leyton Orient.

They prompted outrage from disability groups despite instant apologies from Mr Hart on air.

A spokeswoman for Mencap said: “We are appalled that such offensive language is still used.

“People with a learning disability are a valuable part of our society and it is a disgrace that they are treated as objects to make fun of.”