RTE’s Brolly apologises to Sky presenter Wyse for 'crass' Baywatch jibe

“TV3 plus Baywatch babe”? Joe Brolly has apologised for a “crass” comment about Sky presenter Rachel Wyse.

RTE GAA pundit Joe Brolly has apologised to Sky news presenter Rachel Wyse, after he dismissed Sky’s GAA deal as “TV3 plus Baywatch babe”.

Brolly’s comment came under fire on twitter, and saw him criticised for his focus on Wyse’s appearance.

Brolly is well known for his opposition to the GAA-Sky deal in which Sky secured exclusive broadcasting rights for 14 All-Ireland championship games this year.

Brolly’s original comment involving Wyse, which appears to have been deleted since, read:

“SKY = TV3 plus Baywatch babe”

His apology described that comment as “crass” and “wrong”.

He added, in a tweet directed to Ms Wyse, that the original tweet was “No reflection of your abilities as a presenter”

@RACHEL_WYSE It was no reflection on your abilities as a presenter or at least I didn't mean it to be. I apologise. It will not be repeated

— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) May 21, 2014

Previous to the apology, Brolly had expanded on his original comment to say that “SKY's entrenched beautiful anchor formula is shamelessly sexist.”

Brolly argued the point when pulled up on its implication that the selection of Wyse was purely down to her looks:

@murt222un that's my point. It is a formula designed to titillate their largely male audience.

— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) May 21, 2014

He also said he had nothing against Rachel Wyse personally, referring to her as “the girl”:

@murt222un nothing to do with the girl personally. Never heard of her until now. Not a show jumping fan.

— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) May 21, 2014

Twitter did not love him for it:

@JoeBrolly1993 @RACHEL_WYSE About time. Highly insulting remarks, you should be ashamed of yourself.

— Michelle Mc Mahon (@McMahonMichelle) May 21, 2014

@JoeBrolly1993 let's give her a fair shot , she might actually give the so called small counties some propper coverage and air time.

— martinbyrne (@murt222un) May 21, 2014

Wyse has not yet responded publicly to Brolly’s comments or apology, except to say she is aware of his stance “in past weeks”.

@bbarrymurphy @SkySportsGAA @JoeBrolly1993 I'm well aware of his remarks over the past few weeks

— Rachel Gredley (@RACHEL_WYSE) May 21, 2014