Joey Barton sparked outrage with his comments on BBC's Question Time [BBC]The Queens Park Rangers midfielder tore into newly-elected Ukip MEP Louise Bours, telling her the anti-EU party was the least unattractive option for British voters.
He said: "All you represent to me as Ukip is the best of a bad bunch.
"If I’m somewhere and there are four really ugly girls and I’m thinking she is not the worst, that is all you represent to us.’
Ms Bours responded angrily and said: "What an offensive thing to say.
"The ignorance that you spout illustrates that footballers’ brains are in their feet."
Several MPs were quick to tweet their disapproval of Barton's comments.
Stuart Andrew, Conservative MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, tweeted: "BBC Question Time has become a joke".
And Lucy Powell, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare and Children, commented: "Very unfortunate analogy there Joey".
Barton later apologised for his remark [BBC]
Barton was expected to clash with journalist Piers Morgan [GETTY]If I’m somewhere and there are four really ugly girls and I’m thinking she is not the worst, that is all you represent to us
The 31-year-old footballer apologised after an audience member raised her hand and told him she felt the analogy was offensive.
He said: "I apologise, I couldn’t think of a better one. Maybe I was a bit nervous, I apologise."
Barton also referenced his nerves on Twitter, later writing: "Very nerve wrecking experience, give me Wembley and 87,000 any day of the week. Great experience though."
He added: "Should have left it at 'Best of a bad bunch' Ah well #imnewtothis"
Barton was part of a controversial line-up for the show, held at Heathrow Airport.
The BBC came under fire for including representatives from the Conservatives, Labour and Ukip, but not inviting a Liberal Democrat to join the panel, despite the issue of Nick Clegg's position as the party's leader being one of the top political stories this week.
The Lib Dem press office vented its frustration on Twitter, posting: "@bbcquestiontime have refused to take a Liberal Democrat panellist tonight."
"As with the other political parties, the Liberal Democrats will again be invited to appear on the programme in the near future."
It had been expected that Barton and journalist Piers Morgan would clash on the show, having exchanged tweets heckling each other beforehand.
But the pair seemed to be on the same page on many issues: both attacked Ukip and both agreed that details of communication between George Bush and Tony Blair in the run-up to the Iraq War should be made public.
Mr Morgan later tweeted a picture of Barton at the Question Time dinner, with the caption: "All smiles over #BBCQT dinner. Have to say - Le Pitbull @Joey7Barton is great company. For an ugly bloke."
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