Golfer slammed after Glasgow helicopter joke on TV

A broadcaster has been flooded with complaints after a female golfer made a joke on air about the Glasgow helicopter crash.

Helen Alfredsson has been strongly criticised for making light of the Glasgow helicopter crash live on air. Picture: Getty

Helen Alfredsson was commentating on the Ladies Dubai Masters tournament yesterday when a noisy helicopter flew overheard.

The Swedish sports star said that she “hoped they are better pilots than they are in Scotland”.

Viewers bombarded Sky Sports, which was airing the event, with complaints about the remark and called for Alfredsson to be sacked.

Embarrassed Scots presenter David Livingstone apologised on air and the broadcaster later issued a further apology.

Sky said they had no control over the commentators comments as their coverage was provided by a world feed broadcaster.

Pilot David Traill, 51, died along with eight others when the police helicopter crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub on Friday night.

Outraged viewers also took to Twitter to vent their anger at Alfredsson’s gaffe.

Ken Herring wrote: “I hope Helen Alfredsson has been fired. Disgraceful comments about Glaswegian helicopter pilots in her commentary.”

Kieran Clark posted: “Astonishingly stupid comments from Helen Alfredsson earlier.

“A misguided and insensitive attempt to try to be funny.”

The 43-year-old Swede was a leading figure on the Ladies Professional Golf Tour until her retirement in September this year.

In a statement, Sky said: “Sky Sports offered coverage of the Dubai Ladies Masters tournament on Thursday with live pictures and commentary provided by a world feed broadcaster, supported by presentation from our own studios in London.

“Sky has no control over the commentary from the event, which is shared by a number of international broadcasters, and we were shocked at the unacceptable comments made by one of the analysts.

“As soon as coverage switched back to our studio in London, our presenter David Livingstone apologised and we reiterate our apology for the offence caused by these comments.

“We have also expressed our strong concerns to the world feed broadcaster.”