Victoria Coren Mitchell has issued an apology after Only Connect was slammed for a 'shameful' segment.
The host of the BB2 quiz show, 50, was responding to a complaint from charity Changing Faces, which said the word 'scar' had been described as a 'mark of shame' during the connecting wall round of the programme.
The episode, which aired on Monday 28th November 2022, linked the word scar, to 'blot', 'stain' and 'stigma'.
After the programme, Changing Faces tweeted: "We were disappointed and shocked to see scars described as marks of shame on your show recently. There is #NoShame in having a scar.
"What is a shame is that we are still perpetuating the myth that there's something wrong with visible differences like scars. We hope you will commit to learning about how to better represent those with visible differences."
In response to the tweet, Victoria took to the social media platform, issuing an apology on behalf of the programme.
She wrote: "On a episode of Only Connect a couple of weeks ago we had a wall categeory which was "wall, stain, blot, scar" and the on-screen caption was "marks of shame". I didn't know that. The captions aren't on when I see the questions in advance.
"I totally see how the question-writer's mind was working: they're using a figurative meaning of "scar" - a lower dictionary definition (as in a scar on someone's reputation). HOWEVER this opens the door to the RIDICULOUS and AWFUL idea that a literal visual scar on the face or body of a person is somehow shameful.
"I hope anyone who's ever watched our programme would know this is the very opposite of what we would think. We stand proudly at odds with that kind of nonsense.
"Then again we're meant to be standard bearers for deep thinking. I'm extremely embarrassed personally that the show made itself open to that kind of reading.
"I'll leave it to the programme and channel to figure out the best way of stating somewhere more formal that this was a mistake and very much not what we stand for."
In response to Victoria's tweet, one viewer replied: "Agreed. Thinking carefully about the language we use can never be a bad thing. I can think of all sorts of phrases which may seem innocuous, but if we're unsure about using them, I would rather stop and think, first."
After the show aired, Changing Faces said one of its supporters had contacted them saying: "As someone living with a visible difference, I was absolutely flabbergasted and completely shocked when I saw the show, as the BBC promotes itself as a diverse and inclusive organisation.
"Everyday life is challenging enough for the visibly different community and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes like this just reinforces prejudice and discrimination against us."
When contacted by the Mirror, the BBC said: “Questions and answers on Only Connect are devised using figurative association to get to the connected answer and no offence is ever intended. Having reflected on this particular question, we wouldn’t use such a term again and we’re deeply sorry for any upset caused.”
