Sports presenter slammed over "Barbie" comments
The BBC has issued a statement after a cringeworthy interview with a sports presenter went viral.
Chris Hughes, a former Love Island contestant, was chatting to Aussie cricketer Maitlan Brown during Southern Brave's match in The Hundred.
As the interview began, Hughes referred to Brown as a "batsman", with the rest of the interview only going downhill from there.
Hughes then asked how Brown had been settling in and bonding with her teammates.
"We watched Barbie the other night all together and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together," Brown replied.
Hughes then quipped back, "You're a little Barbie yourself, aren't you, with your blue eyes."
As Brown laughed awkwardly, Hughes added, "She's blushing now."
The absolute state of this @BBCSport
"Batsman"
"You're a bit of a Barbie yourself"
So much great young journalistic cricket talent in the UK, and you hire that clown @chrishughes_22, because demographics, innit pic.twitter.com/f7FwAtQjR9
— Always Look On The Bright Cider Life 🍎🏏🍎🏏🍎 (@somersetpodcast) August 1, 2023
Since the interview, Hughes has copped criticism on social media with the BCC stating they have addressed the issue with him.
"We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate," a BBC spokesperson said.
Hughes has been the subject of an online slating since the interview, with many criticising his comments and wondering how he even landed the gig in the first place.
One person wrote on Twitter, "This is what happens when you get a Love Islander to present cricket... Oh dear."
"Whether Chris Hughes made the Barbie remark yesterday with the intention to belittle or embarrass Maitlan Brown or not is irrelevant. As is whether Brown in fact took offense to it. The effect and imagery was the same," another commented.
Image credits: BBC