BBC tell Chris Hughes his ‘little Barbie’ remark was ‘not appropriate’ after the Love Island star made comment towards Aussie cricketer Maitlan Brown in an awkward interview during broadcaster’s coverage of The Hundred
- Love Island star Chris Hughes has been slammed for an interview on the BBC
- He claimed a female cricketer looks like ‘a little Barbie’ in an awkward exchange
- The BBC have hired Hughes to present The Hundred this summer
The BBC have told former Love Island star Chris Hughes that his comment towards female cricketer Maitlan Brown during the BBC’s coverage of The Hundred was ‘not appropriate’.
Hughes, 30, was interviewing Southern Brave’s Australian star during her side’s innings against the Trent Rockets, in which he provided plenty of positivity about the women’s game.
However, he became sidetracked after Brown mentioned a recent team bonding session among the Brave stars.
‘We watched Barbie the other night altogether and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together,’ she said.
‘That is the key to success I think in tournaments like this, how well and how quickly you can gel as a group.’
Chris Hughes has been labelled ‘hideous’ following a cringe-worthy interview in which he called a female cricketer ‘a little Barbie’
Cricket fans flocked to Twitter to blast the Love Island star for his awkward remark
Hughes quipped in response: ‘You’re a little Barbie yourself innit, with your blue eyes.’
Brown awkwardly laughed at the remark, before Hughes emulated Chris Gayle by saying: ‘She’s blushing now.’
Cricket legend Gayle was criticised for his awful ‘don’t blush baby’ remark during the Big Bash League in Australia back in 2016.
The BBC have since confirmed that they have discussed the incident with Hughes. A spokesperson told Mail Sport: ‘We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.’
A number of cricket fans took to Twitter to react to the Hughes interview, with one viewer claiming they complained to the BBC about the interaction.
‘Chris Hughes taking a leaf from Chris Gayle’s interviewing technique,’ they said. ‘Clearly didn’t take the memo from the film. Have complained to the BBC.’
Another fan posted: ‘Has Chris Hughes apologised for this? Hideous!’
Australian cricketer Maitlan Brown is engaged to fiancee David Horton
A third viewer blasted the BBC for hiring an influencer instead of a cricket specialist.
‘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 because demographics, innit.’
Brown is an established cricket star who has enjoyed plenty of success in the Women’s Big Bash League and was a member of the Australia squad in 2020 and 2021.
She is in a relationship with David Horton, with the pair getting engaged last December.
Source: Read Full Article
