Gay TV presenter Graham Norton given official warning after 'homophobic' joke about lesbians

Graham Norton has been reprimanded by BBC chiefs after a ‘homophobic’ joke about the haircuts of lesbians.

The gay presenter has been warned about ‘ reinforcing a potentially offensive stereotype’ after his comments were investigated by the corporation.

Norton, 46, and his team have now been told to ‘avoid endorsing’ such sexual stereotypes.

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Graham Norton has been reprimanded by the BBC chiefs after a 'homophobic' joke about the haircuts of lesbians

It comes after a viewer complained about the remarks made on The Graham Norton Show about an illustration of a jump suit invention, which showed a large woman with short hair.

Norton described this picture as showing a 'strange lesbian'

The comic described the picture as showing a ‘strange lesbian’ and when asked what a lesbian looks like, he pointed at the picture and said ‘That!’

The BBC said while the initial comments ‘might’ have been inoffensive on their own, it was repeating them after he was challenged by guest Ruth Jones which was wrong.

It has upheld the complaint against the show, just as it is about to be launched on BBC1 after it was promoted from its BBC2 slot.

The TV host had been discussing a website about some of the less successful inventions that have been given patents on the March edition of the show.

Norton singled out the design for a jump- suit for women which was meant to make it easier for them to use the toilet than the traditional outfits.

It was accompanied by a black and white drawing of a women modelling the invention in a variety of poses.

He told viewers: ‘Now I don’t know why they have got some strange lesbian to be the model for this, but they have.’

The TV presenter added that ‘obviously the lesbian p*****g in a jump suit was a big market’ as he continued to joke about the drawings.

Moments later he added: ‘So, Lesbian full bladder here, what am I going to do?’

Guest Ruth Jones challenged Norton on the comment during the segment

Actress Ruth Jones who was one of his guests then challenged the Irish comedian, saying: ‘She may not be a lesbian, come on now.’

Norton then replied: ‘You’re right, she could have gone to a very bad hairdresser.’

Then when Norton tried to play down the comments by saying there was nothing wrong with being a lesbian, Gavin and Stacey comedy star Jones said: ‘I know I am just saying what does a lesbian look like?’ Then Norton fired back : ‘That!’

A BBC statement said: ‘Although the initial references might have been inoffensive if considered on their own, they prompted an exchange with one of the programme’s guests which gave the references the appearance of perpetuating or reinforcing a potentially offensive stereotype.

‘The programme team were reminded of the need to avoid any possibility of being seen to endorse offensive sexual stereotypes.’ It upheld the complaint.

Despite the controversy Norton is set to sign a new deal and stay with the BBC ending months of speculation about his future.

He will be forced to take a pay cut to his £2.5million a year deal, which could drop by about

£500,000 when he signs up again.

Since his switch to the BBC in 2005 the presenter has had mixed success, particularly with the Saturday night shows he has been given.

Watch the offending clip here...