FOX apologises for "inappropriate" joke

American television network FOX has apologised for what it described as a "failed attempt at humour" that was both "ill-chosen and inappropriate" in a press release advertising a new gay-themed programme.

This summer, the channel plans to air Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay in which two straight contestants will compete for $50,000. To win the cash, they have to convince everyone who knows them that they've changed their sexual orientation seemingly overnight. If they master certain challenges, they'll appear in front of a jury, made up of gay men, who will declare a winner.

The first press release obtained by Digital Spy contained the following attempt at wit: "This jury of their queers [(geddit?)] will declare which of the two guys they believe is actually gay … and that guy will win fifty thousand dollars!"

Shortly after, DS received another version with the following apology attached: "We apologise for the content of this morning’s release. Our failed attempt at humour was ill-chosen and inappropriate. We sincerely regret its distribution and have attached an edited version."

This version of the release missed out the phrase quoted above, and the editing process also nixed the line "It’s a heterosexual male’s worst nightmare: turning gay overnight," with which the first release began.

Amanda Byram will host the show, which airs June 7 at 8pm ET.