The BBC has been forced to apologise after an Olympics commentator sparked a homophobia row.
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Paul Hand, working at the tennis yesterday, spoke about the kisscam that was panning the crowd.
After two men and women gave their respective partners a peck, Hand said: “Let’s hope they don’t go on to two blokes sat next to each other”.
As the camera moved around the ground, the presenter joined in with the fun, telling one couple: “Come on, let’s have a kiss”.
His comments were seized upon as an example of homophobia and outraged viewers made their feelings known on Twitter.
“Another added: “@BBCSport Your commentator on the Konta/Kuznetsova match has just made a horrid homophobic comment about how he hopes not to see men kissing”.
Lynne Andrews commented: “Think tennis commentator @BBCSport needs some CPD after casual homophobic remark”.
In a statement, the BBC apologised for Hand’s language and said his comment was “ill-advised”.
“BBC commentator: ‘Let’s hope we don’t see two blokes!’ No, let’s hope we do”.
Another declared: “Do you know what, I hope one day I’m at a sporting event and kiss cam is pointed at me and whoever I’m with, and I will bloody kiss him”.
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The BBC has issued an apology, admitting the comments were “ill-judged”.
