Former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield has sparked controversy by making an anti-gay remark in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

The 51-year-old, who was unveiled as one of the contestants of the Channel 5 reality show on Friday, was disciplined by the broadcasters following a conversation with housemate Luisa Zissman.

After the former Apprentice contestant said that figures within sport should feel like they can be openly gay, Holyfield replied by saying that it "ain't normal".

When Zissman said that being gay is something that some people are born with, Holyfield said: "It don't make no difference. If you're born and your leg were turned this way, what do you do? You go to a doctor and get it fixed back right."

Holyfield accepted the warning from Channel 5 bosses but has not apologised for his comments.