CHRYSTAL ROSE told The Sunday Mirror she was accused of shoplifting at a Tesco supermarket.

The 58-year-old was collecting change from a self-service till, when an employee accused her of taking someone else’s money.

She complained officially to Tesco’s head office. Though the store claimed that they found no evidence of racism, the former presenter received £500 in compensation.

Speaking to Janine Yaqoob, Rose said: “Victims need to speak out. Others need to support us and tell our stories.

“One hopes we’ll get to a stage when we’re judged on the content of our character and not the colour of our skin But it’s taking too long.”

She thinks racism in Britain is getting worse, not better.

Chrystal also spoke about microagressions she faced when she hosted her show, which began in 1993.

The star financed her own TV pilot by using her overdraft and selling her car, television and radio.

But in 1996, the lack of control she had over her own programme led her to leave and pursue other ventures.

Most notably, she assisted former US President Barack Obama on his 2008 Presidential campaign.

The Chrystal Rose show was a television discussion programme. Rose is believed to be the first Black British woman to host her own self-titled show.

However, other Black British women were blazing their own trails on television before her.

Floella Benjamin hosted children’s television programme Play School for the BBC from 1976.

Barbara Blake Hannah was the first Black woman to report on British television news in 1968.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We do not tolerate racism or abuse of any kind. We want everyone to feel welcome in our stores and we immediately investigated these claims. We didn’t find any evidence of racism but were very sorry to hear that Ms Rose was unhappy with her experience.”

The Sunday Mirror is available to purchase now.