Monika Radulovic received an 'unwelcomed' hug by a co-host on Channel 7's Weekend Sunrise, while doing a live cross from the Gold Coast. Courtesy: Channel Seven/Sunrise

A CHANNEL Seven sports reporter has apologised to Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic, following viewer complaints after he hugged her on air during her first shift as the Weekend Sunrise weather presenter.

Just days after cricketer Chris Gayle was criticised for his “inappropriate” on-air advances to Channel 10 sports reporter Mel McLaughlin, Hamish McLachlan was slammed for “flirting” with Radulovic.

Just this week the 25-year-old announced she will be reporting on the weather for Weekend Sunrise for the next two weeks.

In the middle of her live cross at the Magic Millions race on the Gold Coast, Radulovic said: “Hamish here does not want to leave my side, but what we’re talking about next is the...” before she was interrupted as McLachlan embraced her.

Radulovic pushed him away and said, ‘Professional please, my goodness.”

McLachlan joked, “I’ll go, I’ll go,” and jumped over a nearby fence as Radulovic finished the rest of her cross.

Sunrise viewers lashed out on the program’s Facebook page.

“How is what Hamish Mcglauchlan [sic] just did to the weather girl just then any different if not worse than what Chris Gayle did the other night???” one viewer wrote.

“I’m confused! One minute you guys are discussing Chris Gayle’s crappy behaviour and the next you have some horse racing bloke copping a feel of your weather presenter!” another said.

Another wrote: “How disgusting. Just saw a female weather reporter grabbed and virtually groped by horse expert at [sic] Miracle Millions. Oh but the commentators laughed it off because it’s their organisation; yet they call for Chris Gayle’s head. Channel 7 get real, hypocritical!!”

McLachlan later apologised to Radulovic and his viewers on air.

“I understand people have made stuff of it on social media and if I’ve offended anyone, I’m apologising for that absolutely,” he said.

“But more importantly, I apologise if I’ve offended you [Radulovic]. I was trying to have fun and that is my fault if I’ve offended you.”

When asked if she was offended, Radulovic said: “Not at all. I’m so sorry as well guys. I did not think twice about it.

“Like Hamish said, we’re colleagues and friends and we were chatting just like we normally do off camera, and so nothing on my part ... I didn’t think anything of it.”

“It’s all good Hamish, it’s all good Monica, we just wanted to address it,” said host Edwina Bartholemew from the studio.

Hamish McLachlan apologises for hugging Miss Universe Australia on Sunrise Hamish McLachlan apologises for hugging Miss Universe Australia on Sunrise. Courtesy: Channel Seven/Sunrise

McLachlan is a sports reporter for Channel Seven and an ambassador for the Magic Millions races. He co-hosts AFL Game Day on Sunday mornings and commentates some AFL matches and Australian Open tennis games. He is married and has a 3-year-old daughter.

Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic placed in the top five at the 2015 Miss Universe pageant and is engaged to artist Alesandro Ljubicic.