The Great British Bake Off was hit with Ofcom complaints over a segment featuring rainbow bagels.
Wirral baker Paul Hollywood asked the contestants to make the bagels for this week's technical challenge.
But during a chat with Prue he failed to mention the rainbow's significance to the LGBTQ+ community and instead said they reminded him of the NHS.
The rainbow was widely used to support NHS and care workers during the coronavirus lockdown in the spring and early summer.
According to the MailOnline, 18 viewers contacted Ofcom following the baking show on Tuesday.
Introducing the challenge presenter Prue Leith turned to her co-star and said: "Paul, why rainbow coloured bagels?"
Paul, 54, replied: "I think bagels are a great challenge when you're making bread, you've got to boil them which is unusual and then bake them as well.
"I think the rainbow colours for me, although it originated over in the States, I think it represents the NHS."
Prue then added: "Well it does now."
Several viewers immediately took to social media to express their frustration with the statement - reports Mirror Online.
One said: "Making rainbow bagels on #bakeoff and Paul Hollywood reckons they make you think of the NHS. No Hun, those bagels are gay bagels."
A second said: "Watched by millions of people. Paul didn't even a knowledge the significance of the rainbow flag to the gay community, he just said 'it originated in the states."
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And a third said: "When Paul Hollywood said rainbow bagels represent the NHS and not the LGBTQ+ community."
The rainbow flag stands to represent the LGBTQ+ community and is synonymous with Pride and related social movements.
Originating in San Francisco, the symbol is now used worldwide and reflects the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
The rainbow symbol has also become prevalent during the lockdown with people sharing images and pictures to show their support for the NHS.
