The BBC has warned a former Love Island contestant it has hired as a cricket presenter that his comments were “not appropriate”, after he told a female cricketer on air she was like “a little Barbie”.

Chris Hughes, 30, who was hired by the BBC for its coverage of The Hundred tournament, was criticised over a pitch side interview with the Australian all-rounder Maitlan Brown from the Southern Brave team.

Explaining how the team had bonded ahead of the tournament, Brown, 26, said: “We watched Barbie the other night all together and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together.”

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.”

As his comments attracted criticism on social media, a BBC spokesperson said: “We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.”

A number of cricket fans called for Hughes to apologise for the remark. One tweeted: ‘The absolute state of this . ‘Batsman’. ‘You’re a bit of a Barbie yourself’. So much great young journalistic cricket talent in the UK, and you hire that clown.’”

Another said: “Not sure interviewing Maitlan Brown needed to include ‘You’re a bit of a Barbie too with your blue eyes’ did it.”

Hughes appeared on the third series of the ITV reality show Love Island. As well as being a keen cricketer himself, he has presented live horse racing coverage for ITV.