“The Bachelor” Juan Pablo Galavis is under fire for saying gays are “more pervert” than their heterosexual counterparts. The Venezuelan former football player was heard saying gays should not be allowed on the reality TV show, but now apologises for his remark, saying his meaning was just misunderstood.

The 32-year-old was speaking with a reporter for The TV Page on Friday when he was asked if he thought it would be a good idea for a gay or bisexual man to become the next “bachelor.”

He responded negatively, explaining, “I respect them... but honestly, I don’t think it’s a good example for kids to watch that on TV. It’s hard. It’s a very thin line.”

He then pointed out to a gay friend whom he respected “a hundred per cent.” However, it was still hard for him to understand two people of the same sex raising a child together.

“It’s confusing in a sense,” he said, adding that “it would be too hard for TV.”

Explaining further, Galavis said, “There’s this thing about gay people... it seems to me, and I don’t know if I’m mistaken or not... they’re more pervert in a sense. And to me the show will be too strong. Too hard to watch on TV.”

Listen to the audio of his interview:

The show’s producers and its network channel ABC immediately issued a joint statement to distance themselves from Galavis’ comments, which they called “careless, thoughtless and insensitive, and in no way reflect the views of the network, the show’s producers or studio.”

Following the backlash his comments have created, Galavis also issued an apology, blaming his poor English skills for his gaffe.

“I want to apologise to all the people I may have offended because of my comments on having a Gay or Bisexual Bachelor. The comment was taken out of context. If you listen to the entire interview, there’s nothing but respect for Gay people and their families. I have many gay friends and one of my closest friends who’s like a brother has been a constant in my life especially during the past 5 months,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

“The word pervert was not what I meant to say and I am very sorry about it. Everyone knows English is my second language and my vocabulary is not as broad as it is in Spanish and, because of this, something I use the wrong words to express myself.

“What I meant to say was that gay people are more affectionate and intense and for a segment of the TV audience this would be too racy to accept. The show is very racy as it is and I don’t let my 5-year-old daughter watch it.

“Once again, I’m sorry for how my words were taken. I would never disrespect anyone.”