Rio 2016: BBC commentator Paul Hand sparks complaints over 'homophobic remark' during Olympics

'Let's hope they don't go onto two blokes sat, er, next to each other,' says sports presenter Paul Hand as couples kiss

The BBC has apologised after a tennis commentator was accused of delivering a homophobic comment.

Paul Hand, who was covering live footage of British tennis player Johanna Konta in the singles quarter-finals, sparked a social media outrage when he implied "two blokes" would not want to kiss.

Mr Hand, also a tennis coach and former player, began by talking about the festival atmosphere in the tennis court.

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As the camera moved between pairs of people, he noted that many viewers were simply breaking out into dancing or even just kissing one another during events.

When the camera came to rest on a man and woman, they appeared delighted to be on the big screen and pecked each other on the lips.

The BBC commentator said: "Come on, let's have a kiss!

"Let's hope they don't go onto two blokes sat, er, next to each other."

His hesitation mid-sentence would appear to reveal Mr Hand's sudden realisation of the implications of the comment.

Moving swiftly on to another couple, he continued: "Go on, your turn."

His words were immediately picked up on social media and scrutinised.

Some condemned the seemingly hetereonormative assumption behind the comment.

Others expressed sympathy for what they said was meant to be a humorous comment.

The BBC has been regularly accused of a male-dominated workforce in which ethnic minorities and the LGBT community are not fully represented.

On the other hand, many commentators accuse the public broadcaster of being too "liberal" or "left-wing" and excessively politically correct about diversifying its workforce.

In a statement about the incident, the BBC said: "The comment was ill-judged and we apologise to any of our viewers who were offended."