Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli said she would not let comments about her appearance from a senior BBC presenter spoil the greatest day of her life.

The BBC was forced to apologise yesterday after John Inverdale suggested the French player was "never going to be a looker".

Inverdale made the disparaging remark on BBC Radio 5 Live, shortly after French player Marion Bartoli defeated Germany's Sabine Lisicki on Centre Court.

Bartoli, 28, sank to her knees after she clinched the title and then made a beeline for the player's box where she embraced her father and former coach, Walter.

Inverdale told listeners: "Do you think Bartoli's dad told her when she was little, 'You're never going to be a looker, you'll never be a Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight'?

The BBC later apologised for the comments, with a spokesman saying: "We accept that this remark was insensitive and for that we apologise."

Bartoli said in a briefing tonight: "It doesn't matter, honestly. I am not blonde, yes. That is a fact. Have I dreamt about having a model contract? No. I'm sorry.

"But have I dreamed about winning Wimbledon? Absolutely, yes.

"And to share this moment with my dad was absolutely amazing and I am so proud of it.

"I am sure I will be able to watch the DVD of the match over and over again and look at the picture of me when I am holding it (the trophy) in my arms. That is the most important thing to me and not what I can do outside of the court."

Earlier Inverdale told his listeners that he poked fun at the player's looks "in a nice way".

He added: "She is an incredible role model for people who aren't born with all the attributes of natural athletes".

Earlier in the tournament, the BBC's Garry Richardson had to apologise after questioning whether Andy Murray had needed a "hairdryer" session from Sir Alex Ferguson after battling through his quarter-final.