Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara has come under fire, as well as been pitied, for a strange lewd joke made at last night's Golden Globes.

The Colombia-born star was introducing the three teenage daughters of Sylvester Stallone, who were all serving as Miss Golden Globe at this year's ceremony, when she made the misfiring joke, which played on her thick accent and apparent difficulties with the English language.

"The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has an anal tradition," she said, before quickly trying to correct herself.

"I didn't mean anal. They have an anus tradition..."

Attempting to correct her error once again, she restarted: "They have a tradition, that they do every year, of choosing a second generation performer to assist in the presentation of the award."

"I get it, but I'm over it": Vergara was presenting Scarlet, Sistine and Sophia Stallone Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/AP

She then proceeded to introduce Scarlet, Sistine and Sophia Stallone, aged between 14 and 20, who were handing out awards and guiding celebrities from the stage to the green room at the ceremony. Previous 'children of celebrities' who have served in the role, known as Miss or Mr Golden Globe, include Laura Dern, Dakota Johnson, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rumer Willis.

While social media were quick to laugh at the gag, others were more critical, claiming that once again Vergara was made the butt of a joke that played up her foreign accent and sex appeal for giggles.

I wish we could live in a world where Sofia Vergara doesn't have to CONSTANTLY MOCK HERSELF IN ORDER TO EXIST

— Phillip Picardi (@pfpicardi) January 9, 2017

My impatience with the "Tee hee, Sofia Vergara is not from here" jokes has now snapped and hurled itself into the pacific -H #GoldenGlobes

— Heather & Jessica (@fuggirls) January 9, 2017

Sofia Vergara: Here are jokes about anal sex and now...please welcome some children! #GoldenGlobes

— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon) January 9, 2017

It follows another controversial skit at the 2014 Emmys, in which Vergara was positioned on a rotating platform to be ogled while the CEO and chairman of the Emmys TV Academy talked about diversity in the industry.

Vergara later defended the gag, saying "I absolutely think it's ridiculous. Somebody who started this... has no sense of humor and should lighten up a little bit.

"It means somebody can be hot and also be funny and make fun of herself and enjoy her work and make money."

Vergara poses with Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra at Warner Bros.' post-Golden Globes party. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty

The anus gag isn't the first time Vergara's sense of humour has gotten her into hot water, either. An appearance on daytime talk show The View in 2009 saw her make an unfortunate rape joke.

"You're a single mom of a teenage son, who's 18?", quizzed cohost Sherri Shepherd. "Did you have him when you were 12?"

Vergara laughed and replied: "Thirteen. I was raped."

Vergara has yet to comment on the criticism.

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