A Love Island contestant has been reprimanded by the BBC after he said that a female cricketer was “a little Barbie yourself. with your blue eyes” during a pitch-side interview.
The former reality dating show star Chris Hughes was told by the BBC that his flirty comments to Australian all-rounder Maitlan Brown were “not appropriate”.
Hughes, who is now a sports presenter, was conducting a BBC Two pitch-side interview with The Southern Braves star during her win at The Hundred on Wednesday over the Trent Rockets,
The 26-year-old said she had been to see the Barbie movie with her team-mates, explaining: “it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together.”
The absolute state of this @BBCSport
— Always Look On The Bright Cider Life 🍎🏏🍎🏏🍎 (@somersetpodcast) August 1, 2023
"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
Hughes replied: “You’re a little Barbie yourself with your blue eyes.”
After Brown laughed, Hughes, channelling his inner Ken, added: “She’s blushing now”.
In response to the awkward interview which attracted criticism on social media , a BBC spokesperson said: “We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.”
As well as the Southern Braves, Brown has played for several domestic Australian teams as well as receiving call-ups to the full Australia squad.
In addition to presenting coverage of The Hundred, Hughes has also worked on ITV’s horse racing programmes.
