The BBC has apologised after Rio Olympics commentator Paul Hand was accused of making a homophobic remark during a ‘kiss cam’ moment at a tennis match.
His comments came during the clash between Britain’s Johanna Konta and Svetlana Kuznetsova when, during a break in play, cameramen zoomed in on couples sitting next to each other.
As the camera moved around the stadium, the presenter joined in with the fun, encouraging one couple saying: “Come on, let’s have a kiss.”
He then joked “let’s hope they don’t go on to two blokes sat next to each other”.
Viewers soon took to social media to vent their anger at the comment with one user linking it to ‘casual homophobia’.
Maggie Chapman tweeted: “Horrendous casual homophobia from @BBCSport commentator on Konta/ Kuznetsova match…”
Olympics broadcaster the BBC admitted Hand made an ‘ill-judged’ remark.
A statement read: “The comment was ill judged and we apologise to any of our viewers who were offended.”
