Trevor Sinclair has been taken off air by talkSPORT after he sparked a furious backlash on Twitter with a post following the Queen’s death.

The broadcaster says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the tweet and the timing of the post, which appeared on the social media website at 7.38pm.

A talkSPORT statement posted to Twitter read: “Trevor Sinclair will not be on air while we carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances and timing of his tweet. While we respect the right of Trevor Sinclair to express his opinion on his personal Twitter account, talkSPORT does not endorse the tweet.”

Trevor Sinclair has been taken off air by talkSPORT

Buckingham Palace announced at 6:30pm on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II had died at her home in Balmoral at the age of 96.

Sinclair apparently reacted to the news by tweeting: “Racism was outlawed in England in the 60’s & its been allowed to thrive so why should black & brown mourn!! #queen.”

The tweet has since been deleted and, at the time of reporting, the Twitter account has been deactivated.

TalkSport initially responded to calls for Sinclair to be axed with a tweet reading: “We have been trying to make contact with Trevor Sinclair following opinions expressed on his Twitter account. talkSPORT does not support those views expressed and is investigating the matter.”

The radio station had earlier paid tribute to the Queen with the post: “Everyone at talkSPORT sends their condolences to The Royal Family. Rest In Peace, Your Majesty.”

The message was accompanied by a picture of the Queen awarding the Jules Rimet trophy to England World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore at Wembley Stadium in 1966.

British Olympian Kelly Sotherton was among those to criticise Sinclair for his tweet, replying to it with: “You should be ashamed of yourself… I have no other words that are appropriate.”

Former Notts County owner Alan Hardy, meanwhile, wrote: “You’re an absolute disgrace. No words,” and ex-Middlesbrough defender David Wheater said: “Crikey Trev you’ve gone in wildly there mate.”