BBC Radio 5 Live is facing mounting criticism after one of its presenters made a series of explicit jokes during a live broadcast, leaving listeners shocked and demanding action.
Chris Hughes, who co-hosts the weekend breakfast show with Michelle Ackerley, sparked outrage during Saturday morning's programme when he made crude references to adult content while discussing a news story about OnlyFans.
Controversial Comments Spark Immediate Backlash
The incident occurred as Hughes and Ackerley were covering a story about the adult subscription platform. According to listeners, Hughes made inappropriate remarks including asking his co-host if she had "an OnlyFans account" and making explicit jokes about the type of content available on the platform.
One particularly crude comment saw Hughes joke about "seeing someone's bits" on the service, leaving Ackerley visibly uncomfortable and attempting to steer the conversation back to safer ground.
Listeners Express Outrage and Disappointment
Social media platforms were quickly flooded with complaints from disgruntled listeners who expressed their shock at the presenter's behaviour.
"Absolutely appalling listening to Chris Hughes on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning," wrote one listener on X. "Making crude jokes about OnlyFans and asking his female co-host if she has an account. Completely inappropriate for Saturday morning radio."
Another added: "Time and place for everything, and 8am on a Saturday with families listening isn't it. Hughes should know better."
BBC Faces Growing Pressure to Respond
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the broadcaster, which has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to maintaining high standards of decency and appropriateness across its output.
While the BBC has yet to issue an official statement, sources indicate that senior executives are reviewing the segment and considering appropriate action. The incident has also raised questions about production standards and editorial oversight during live broadcasts.
Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, confirmed it has received several complaints about the segment and is assessing whether to launch a formal investigation into potential breaches of the broadcasting code.
Not the First Controversy for Hughes
This isn't the first time Hughes has found himself at the centre of controversy. The presenter has previously faced criticism for other on-air comments, though nothing reaching this level of severity.
Industry insiders suggest that the incident could have significant implications for Hughes' future at the broadcaster, particularly given the BBC's ongoing efforts to rebuild public trust and maintain its reputation as a family-friendly broadcaster.
As the fallout continues, many are watching closely to see how the corporation handles what could become another significant test of its editorial standards and accountability processes.
