Adam Sandler has come under fire from viewers after he was seen repeatedly touching the leg of British actress Claire Foy on The Graham Norton Show.

The Crown star looked “awkward” as she pushed the Hollywood actor’s hand from her thigh while they sat on the chat show sofa.

Actress Emma Thompson, who was also a guest on the show which aired on Friday, appeared to notice Mr Sandler’s behaviour and glare at him disapprovingly.

Mr Sandler’s representatives have since described the action as “a friendly gesture” and said he made a similar gesture to Dustin Hoffman on the Jimmy Fallon Show earlier this month.

At one point during the show Ms Foy, 33, appeared to squirm and gesture Mr Sandler’s hand away as he touched her leg twice in quick succession.