Tom Grennan has apologised to Ellie Goulding over comments he made to her during Saturday night’s BRIT awards about her appearance.
During the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena, Tom and Ellie presented the Best New Artist Award together, but things took a turn for the worst when singer Tom made a comment about Ellie's outfit – something which later led to mass backlash online.
As the pair took to the stage together, Tom said to Ellie: “Don’t I look good next to Ellie Goulding?”
“I love what you’re doing,” he continued, gesturing to her outfit which featured a black top with the mould of two breasts on it.
“Are they your real boobs?” he then asked.
The Starry Eyed singer remained calm and joked she wished they were and hers are much further apart, but viewers watching at home quickly took to social media to fume about Tom's quip.
Following Tom's seemingly innocent comment, dozens of fans took to Twitter to slam the singer for making an 'inappropriate' comment on Ellie's body.
However, the Lights hitmaker rushed to defend Tom, calling him an ally' amid the backlash.
“A word on BRIT / t** gate. I was wearing a beautiful breastplate, thank you all for appreciating it. My friend Tom Grennan is 100 percent an ally and we were having a bit of fun," she tweeted.
“No offence taken, no harm intended - and no other interpretations necessary,” Ellie added.
Ellie's fans were divided on the singer's statement - with some arguing Tom's joke wasn't appropriate for a show being broadcast on national TV.
"Normalising men making unwanted, uncouth and suggestive comments about women’s bodies ain’t the one. Great that it was jokes for you two but it’s setting a bad example," one Twitter user told Ellie on Sunday.
Another argued: "I’m glad you didn’t take offence, it did seem offensive when he said it, a lot of viewers noticed, Even though you say Tom is having fun. I think it’s a time & place for it not on national TV as a lot of viewers has disliked the comment made mainly woman.
"Pick your words wisely I say. X."
After Ellie's tweet, Tom has now taken to his own Twitter page to issue a grovelling apology.
“Love ya @elliegoulding. What started as a joke between Ellie and I before we went on stage came out all wrong," Tom said.
“The nerves got the better of us, but that does not excuse what was said, and I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended – that’s not me at all, and I’m sorry.”
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