Virgin Media has issued an apology following a translation blunder that saw Wales and Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias wrongly described as a “whore” in a television listings guide. The error occurred in the programme information for S4C’s Thursday evening chat show Jonathan, which routinely welcomes prominent Welsh sports personalities alongside host Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies.

The listing was meant to announce that actress Siaan Reese-Williams and Wales international Elias would be appearing on the show. Elias, a Grand Slam champion and key squad member during Warren Gatland’s tenure, was simply being identified by his standard rugby position of hooker.

Nevertheless, the Welsh-language edition of the guide mistranslated the term, using the word “butain” – meaning “whore” – instead of the correct rugby terminology “bachwr” – signifying hooker in rugby. The description, distributed through Virgin Media’s television service, subsequently surfaced online.

A screenshot of the listing spread extensively across social media platforms, generating a blend of outrage, hilarity and incredulity. Some rugby fans were quick to mention how commonplace the term “hooker” is within rugby circles, whilst questioning why the translation hadn’t been verified beforehand.

The mortifying mistake triggered condemnation of the broadcaster’s quality assurance procedures, with some speculating that automated translation software was probably responsible. Virgin Media have released a statement acknowledging the error and confirming its rectification once it was brought to their notice.

“We are aware of a translation error that appeared on our TV guide,” a spokesperson for Virgin Media informed the BBC. “This was promptly rectified by our external provider, and we apologise for any upset caused.”

S4C stated: “The details of the programme were correct in leaving us here at S4C in Welsh and in English, and have appeared as such on every broadcasting platform but one.”

They further added that the technical provider used by that specific platform had apologised and confirmed that an internal investigation had been conducted.

The mistake has now been rectified, and future listings for the programme have been updated to accurately reflect Elias’ role as a professional rugby hooker.