The BBC has been accused of homophobia by viewers following Demi Lovato’s performance at Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend on Sunday.
The 25-year-old singer took to the stage in Swansea where she performed various hits where she took part in various same-sex dance routine with her backing dancers.
During the performance of her 2015 hit Cool For The Summer viewers watching on the iPlayer were met with a message from the broadcaster apologising for any offending content.
And although the BBC has since insisted it was referring to swearing on stage, many took the apology to be referring to two women dancing.
Demi Lovato took part in a same-sex dance routine during her performance at Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend on Sunday
During the performance viewers were delivered a message from the BBC apologising for any offensive content
Flashing up on screen during the performance, the message said: ‘We apologise if you’ve been offended by anything in this stream’.
Many viewers construed this as a homophobic remark on the US singer’s decision to perform her dance numbers with women, taking to Twitter to share their outrage.
One wrote: ‘So demi danced with a girl…..why is an apology needed for that? It’s 2018 people get a grip.’
While the BBC insists it was remarking on the swearing on stage, many took the apology to be for the same-sex dancing
Taking to Twitter viewers expressed their outrage over the BBC’s apology
Agreeing another added: ‘I’m speechless. BBC said sorry for the moment Demi was with a girl? What’s the f***ing problem? Homophobia hello? Sad AF.’
However, the broadcaster has since come forward to defend the apology, claiming that the apology was issued in response to swearing on stage.
A spokesperson for the BBC told the MailOnline: ‘The apology referred to the language used during the live stream.
‘All artists are reminded not to use strong language at any point whilst on stage as their set is broadcast live on the BBC.’
Several accused the broadcaster of homophobia and insisted on an apology on its behalf
Following the performance, Demi told the crowd to ‘love who you wanna love.’
Demi has always been open about her ‘very fluid’ sexuality, reflecting it in her performances.
In a recent interview with InStyle Magazine, she said: ‘I think love is love. You can find it in any gender. I like the freedom of being able to flirt with whoever I want.
‘I’m normally the first one to make the move. I’m always the one who says, “Let me get your number.” Or I slide into their DMs on Instagram.’
Life on the road is always a challenge for the twice-rehabbed starlet, who’s fast approaching her sixth year of sobriety.
Demi, who kicked off the US leg of her concert series in March, previously admitted she wants to surround herself with positive people to help her stay on track.
Demi will perform at the O2 at the start of June before heading around Europe with the final performance currently set for June 27 in Bolonga, Italy.