Boxing legend Evander Holyfield has been reprimanded by U.K. TV bosses after he made homophobic comments on reality show Celebrity Big Brother.

The five-time world heavyweight champion entered the house to huge cheers on Friday night, but is already facing a backlash after he suggested homosexuality could be "fixed" by a doctor.

In a conversation with fellow housemate Luisa Zissman about openly gay stars in sport, he replied, "But that ain't normal."

Zissman, who found fame on another U.K. reality TV show, The Apprentice, added, "That's just the way some people are born."

Holyfield then insisted, "It don’t make no difference (sic). If you're born and your legs were turned this way, what do you do? You go to a doctor and get it fixed back right."

The 51-year-old sports star was then ordered into the Diary Room to answer to the show's producers, who warned him that his comments would be "extremely offensive" to a "large section of society".

Holyfield answered, "I thought I was just, I forgot about the thing (sic). I was just telling her my opinion but it's not like I was going to mention (it) to anybody else. It was just our conversation."

The fighter's remarks have sparked outrage among viewers, including openly gay singer Boy George, who tweeted: "Shame, I had such admiration for Mr Evander Holyfield, he seemed dignified and I was sure he was a cool, smart, giant!"