A year on from the “Don’t Blush Baby” incident, West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle has re-ignited controversy, by posting a raunchy video on social media and telling Australia to “lighten the phuck up”.
The powerful batsman posted a video on Instagram and a tweet which alluded to comments made during a sideline interview with then-Channel 10 host Mel McLaughlin.
The interview took place exactly a year ago after a Melbourne Renegades Big Bash League game in which Gayle had just played.
During the interview Gayle asked McLaughlin whether she would be interested in getting a drink with him and then said “don’t blush baby” when she became noticeably uncomfortable with his antics.
He was later fined $10,000 over the incident and condemned by Cricket Australia for his comments. Afterwards, Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry formally apologised to McLaughlin in a statement.
“Chris’s comments were completely inappropriate and disrespectful,” it said.
Gayle also apologised, saying: “There wasn’t anything at all meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel and if she felt that way I’m really sorry for that.
“There wasn’t any harm meant in that particular way to any particular person like that.
“It was a simple joke, the game was going on. Entertainment, things get out of proportion but these things do happen.”
In the anniversary video–– shot during a street festival – Gayle makes suggestive poses and simulates sex acts with a woman, understood to be his partner Natasha Berridge.
His tweet which accompanied a link to the Instagram video read: “4th jan officially 1 year anniversary #DontBlushBaby - Australia lighten the phuck up!!!”
