02 August 2023 , 11:14
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Former Love Island er Chris Hughes has sparked outrage as he made a Barbie comment to a female cricketer.
The 30-year-old former reality TV star was interviewing cricketer Maitlan Brown during the BBC's coverage of The Hundred when he made the remark.
Chris has been working on the sports event interviewing sporting stars but some viewers aren't happy with his technique. He was speaking to Southern Brave's Australian star during her side's innings against the Trent Rockets when he provided plenty of positivity about the women's game.
However, it was when Brown talked about how the team has been bonding when Chris got distracted. Brown explained that she and her teammates had watched the new Barbie film together in order to bond.
Viewers weren't impressed (BBC)She explained: "We watched Barbie the other night altogether and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together. That is the key to success I think in tournaments like this, how well and how quickly you can gel as a group."
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Chris quickly responded: "You're a little Barbie yourself innit, with your blue eyes." He then added: "She's blushing now."
Some thought that he emulated cricket legend Chris Gayle when he was criticised for his "don't blush baby" comment during the Big Bash League in Australia in 2016.
A number of viewers took to social media to say they weren't impressed with the Barbie remark. One viewer said they complained to the BBC about the interaction.
They said: "Chris Hughes taking a leaf from Chris Gayle's interviewing technique. Clearly didn't take the memo from the film. Have complained to the BBC."
"Has Chris Hughes apologised for this? Hideous!," a second commented.
Another pointed out that Chris also said "batsman", they wrote: "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 a well-known cricket star who has had a successful career in the Women's Big Bash League and was a member of the Australia squad in 2020 and 2021.
The Mirror have contacted the BBC and Chris' reps for comment.