Former Love Island contestant Hughes has been a regular on the BBC’s coverage of The Hundred, a cricket tournament involving eight city-based teams across the UK.
In a pitchside interview with Australian all-rounder Maitlan Brown, Hughes asked how the Southern Brave team had bonded ahead of the tournament.
‘We watched Barbie the other night altogether and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together,’ said Brown, 26.
‘That is the key to success I think in tournaments like this, how well and how quickly you can gel as a group.’
Hughes then replied: ‘You’re a little Barbie yourself, aren’t you, with your blue eyes.’ As Brown laughed, Hughes added: ‘She’s blushing now.’
The exchange attracted substantial criticism on social media and the BBC have spoken to Hughes to make it clear the comment ‘was not appropriate’.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.’
Southern Brave kick-started the Women’s Hundred with a 27-run victory over Trent Rockets, with India’s Smriti Mandhana top-scoring with 55 and Mary Taylor starring with the ball, taking three wickets.
In the men’s competition, defending champions Trent Rockets reversed the result to beat Southern Brave by six wickets thanks to Sam Hain’s 39-ball 63 and three wickets apiece from Lewis Gregory and Daniel Sams.
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