Eurovision 2016: BBC replaced tribute to refugees with Mel Giedroyc meatball spoof
THE BBC chose to ignore a tribute to refugees at the Eurovision song contest and instead aired a clip of Mel Giedroyc eating meatballs.
BBC replaced tribute to refugees with Mel Giedroyc meatball spoof
During the contest, viewers across Europe watched a poignant dance performance, which reflected on the refugee crisis.
Before the performance hosts Petra Mede and Mans Zelmerlow informed viewers: "Right now, Europe is facing one of its most difficult challenges in a very long time.
"Not only in Europe, but around the world, 60 million people are, at this moment, refugees in search of a new home.
"We are very proud to present The Grey People."
A group of dancers performed a moving tribute to refugees during the contest
Hosts Petra and Mans highlighted the refugee crisis before the performance was shown
Mel Giedroyc flirts with Lativia Star
But while the rest of Europe watched the moving tribute, British viewers were instead treated to a comedy sketch about meatballs.
Following the omission, a Syrian refugee has spoken of his shock at the BBC's decision to ignore the tribute.
Khlaed Alesmael, now a journalist based in Sweden, told The Mirror: "It is art about human beings. It is a good way to remind the audience of more than two million about the suffering of refugees, and the importance of integration."
The BBC showed a comedy sketch of Mel working at a meatball restaurant
The BBC has since defended its decision to air the comedy sketch instead of the dance tribute
However, despite comments online claiming British viewers missed out, the BBC has defended its decision to air the meatball sketch.
A spokesman explained to the publication: "The BBC opts out of the main broadcast at various points and has not shown the semi-final interval act for a number of years.
"Viewers in the UK who wanted to watch uninterrupted coverage of what happened in the arena could do so via eurovision.tv, as mentioned on air live during the broadcast itself."