Sara Cox has been criticised for an "inappropriate" remark she made about fairgrounds on her radio show last week.
The presenter, 47, hosts her own show on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday evenings, with the latest instalment asking listeners to share "the most random, rickety ride" they have been on.
One listener contacted the show to say that they had once feared for their life while on a rollercoaster at a fairground - which prompted a response from the host.
Her comment however attracted criticism from a number of listeners who deemed it to be "inappropriate" and "unacceptable," with some having called for an apology.
Sara had said on her show: "That's the thing with smaller local fairs, isn't it? Their rollercoaster and rides are held together by rusty screws, Blu Tack and crossed fingers."
Following the remark, a number of listeners shared their disappointment on social media, with her comment branded "unacceptable" and "horrible."
One person tweeted Sara directly and said: "I've always been a fan [...] but I was quite upset at your throwaway comment about small fairgrounds being held together."
This individual - who said they owned a small fairground - said that such "little comments" end up doing "the most harm in the long term" to those in the industry.
Another person wrote: "Think a very public apology is needed for your slandering and incorrect information made about fairgrounds. These rides are tested yearly."
One listener described the remark as "awful, totally untrue, stereotypical and damaging for an already struggling industry." Another said it was a "horrible statement."
Another commented in a tweet last week: "Your comments last night about fairgrounds were totally misguided and inappropriate. An apology would be appreciated."
They continued in their post on the social media platform: "Every piece of fairground equipment cannot operate without a yearly test carried out by an ADIPS inspector."
The BBC has since issued a statement about the backlash over the remark, in which the broadcaster said its presenter did not mean to cause offence with her comment.
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It said in the statement: "Sara made an off the cuff comment in response to a listener text about rollercoaster rides and was referring to her own childhood memories of fairground rides and not present day standards."
It continued: "She did not mean to offend any of her listeners and the comment was in no way intended to be derogatory to local fairs."
The Mirror approached reps of Sara Cox for comment.
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