CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER star Chris Hughes has been dropped by the BBC from their coverage of the Hundred cricket competition.
The former Love Island finalist has been used by the BBC as a presenter and interviewer on the Hundred since it launched as a new format to appeal to youngsters in 2021, but will not return this summer.
The Hundred begins on Tuesday with a derby between London Spirit and Oval Invincibles at Lord’s.
The BBC share TV rights for the competition with Sky Sports.
A BBC source said: “Chris has done a good job for four years, but we’re going in a different direction.
“There will be more focus on the cricket this year, rather than promoting the Hundred as an entertainment show.
“Former England cricketers Alex Hartley and Isa Guha and will lead the presenting team, as they know the sport inside out. Rick Edwards from Radio Five Live will be used in the Chris Hughes role.”
Being dropped for the Hundred is the second big sports job Hughes has lost in the space of a few months.
In April The Sun revealed that Hughes was leaving ITV Racing after six years following a dispute over pay.
Racing is the 32-year-old’s favourite sport so that was a bitter blow.
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Hughes’ four years of presenting cricket for the BBC were not without controversy.
In 2023 he was formally reprimanded by the BBC for making comments that were “not appropriate” after he told a female cricketer on air she was like “a little Barbie”.
Explaining how her Southern Brave team had bonded ahead of the tournament, Australian all-rounder Maitlan Brown said: “We watched Barbie the other night all together and it was really good team bonding.”
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.”
After his comments attracted criticism on social media, a BBC spokesperson said: “We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.”
Despite the warning Hughes returned to work for the BBC the following year.
The BBC declined to comment.
