Rugby hooker called prostitute in Virgin Media Welsh translation gaffe

The language translation error occurred in TV listings about hooker Ryan Elias's appearance on a Welsh chat show next week

Virgin Media has apologised after mistakenly using the Welsh word for prostitute to describe Wales hooker Ryan Elias.

It happened in translated information about his planned appearance on a programme on Welsh language channel S4C.

Virgin Media listed English information for next Thursday's Jonathan rugby chat show as saying guests would include hooker Ryan Elias, but it used butain - a mutation of the word for prostitute putain - when describing the player's position.

S4C said the details it provided were correct and had "appeared on every broadcasting platform but one" while Virgin Media said it was sorry "for any offence caused".

S4C said: "The details of the programme were correct in leaving us here at S4C in Welsh and in English and have, therefore, appeared on every broadcasting platform but one.

"The technical provider for that platform has apologised carried out an investigation and has now corrected the error."

Elias, who plays for the Llanelli-based Scarlets, has been recovering from an operation on an elbow injury this summer and missed the 2025 Six Nations because of a neck injury.

Virgin Media said: "We are aware of a translation error that appeared on our TV guide.

"This was promptly rectified by our external provider and we apologise for any upset caused."

Lost in translation: Bilingual information detailing the programme's information