text: Steve Smith’s heartfelt press conference has been interrupted by a bizarre comment from a Kyle & Jackie O producer comparing the disgraced cricketers to ‘Married at First Sight’ participants.
  
  As a distraught Smith broke down apologising to the nation and his parents for his role in the ball tampering scandal that has rocked Australian cricket, Peter Deppeler (known as ‘Intern Pete’) from the Kyle & Jackie O breakfast show overrode other reporters to ask him bizarre question.
  
  Starting by saying he wanted to “take a different tact”, Deppeler said he wanted to offer the perspective of the “non-sporting community”.
  
  “To see you upset tonight is very sad. We asked our listeners what we thought about this and we have opened up to them,” Deppeler said.
  
  But it was his final comment comparing the cricketers to reality TV show participants Dean and Davina, whose on-air affair outraged 'MAFS' viewers, that drew gaps and groans from surrounding reporters and caused event organisers to cut him off sharply.
  
  'Intern Pete' “And mate I have got to tell you, hold your head high for a little bit for what you have done because what’s actually been worse is what Davina and Dean did on ‘Married at First Sight’.”
  
  Steve Smith was left speechless by the comparison to 'Married at First Sight' participants Dean and Davina. (9NEWS) (9NEWS)Davina and Dean caused outrage when they started an on-screen affair on reality TV show 'Married At First Sight'. (Channel Nine) (Channel Nine)
  
  A teary yet seemingly gobsmacked Smith stares at the heckler wordlessly before event organisers eventually cut him off with “Thank you, next question”.
  
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  The press conference continued without further incident, but that hasn’t stopped audiences taking to social media to slam the “embarrassing” and “tasteless” performance.
  
  One viewer told Deppeler on Twitter: “Everyone in Australia now thinks you’re a d---head for asking Steve Smith about Married At First Sight. @kyleandjackieo – you’re a disgrace for allowing this to happen.”
  
  Another suggested the radio producer will be “cooking Big Macs within five years”, while others labelled him a “moron”.
  
  Others went so far as to call for him to be fired.
  
  ‘Intern Pete’ is infamous for his embarrassing and at times tasteless stunts – which have included attending the Logies dressed as the gold Logie man and turning up to a rival radio station stark naked – but his latest stunt may just have pushed community expectations - and Kyle & Jackie O listeners - one step too far.