However, he did also admit: "We poked fun, in a nice way, about how she looks ... but Marion Bartoli is an incredible role model."

Bartoli's response was to remind Inverdale she is a tennis player, not a model. "It doesn't matter, honestly. I am not blonde, yes. That is a fact. Have I dreamt about having a model contract? No. I'm sorry. But have I dreamed about winning Wimbledon? Absolutely, yes. And to share this moment with my dad was absolutely amazing and I am so proud of it.

"I am sure I will be able to watch the DVD of the match over and over again and look at the picture of me when I am holding the trophy in my arms. That is the most important thing to me and not what I can do outside of the court."

The BBC followed Inverdale's apology with an official one from the broadcasting house, but revealed it had received 674 complaints about the incident.

Perhaps Inverdale was trying to suggest he defines "looker" as someone who's tall with long legs and those are attributes he thinks tennis stars should have. However, height is not always advantageous in tennis - at 5'5 inches Justine Henin, for example, is two inches shorter than Bartoli.

And we'd kind of expect the sports presenter to know that.

Words: Anna Pollitt. Images: Kapil Bhagat, Rex Features

Fury over BBC commentary on tennis star's looks