Most complained about TV moment of the year revealed

Ofcom has identified the TV moment that caused the most complaints this year, as viewers expressed their dissatisfaction with what they saw.

Every year, the watchdog issues a report detailing which shows have received negative feedback from viewers.

This time, it got twice as many complaints as in 2022, with 69,236 over 9,638 instances, and found 35 programmes in violation.

After calculating the figures, it was Laurence Fox’s now-infamous ugly diatribe on air on GB News that topped the list.

Back in September, when appearing on Dan Wootton Tonight, the former actor made a series of derogatory statements regarding political journalist Ava Evans.

In his tirade, he made comments that included ‘no self-respecting man would want to climb into bed with her’.

Both guys were fired from the network after their exchange sparked widespread outrage.

The watchdog was inundated with complaints, and the incident has now been designated as the most complained-about occasion in 2023.

After people complained to what was stated and broadcast, a total of 8,867 complaints were received.

The examination into this project is still underway by Ofcom.

This is one of a dozen GB News shows that have been or are being investigated by the regulator this year, with five already found to be in violation.

With 8,421 complaints, ITV’s coverage of King Charles III’s coronation in May came in second.

During the coverage, Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh commented: ‘We’ve gone from the rich diversity of the [Westminster] Abbey to a terribly white balcony.’

While viewers protested that the statement was insulting and constituted racial discrimination, Ofcom stated that it was a ‘personal observation’ and that it would not investigate further owing to the ‘right to freedom of expression’.

Following that came Good Morning Britain, which received 2,391 complaints in October over host Richard Madeley’s questioning of MP Layla Moran.

During an interview on ITV’s breakfast show, the British Palestinian lawmaker was asked if she was informed of Hamas’ terror act before it occurred.

Ofcom said Madeley’s ‘live, unscripted remarks were potentially offensive’ but concluded the question ‘sought to explore whether civilians were aware of a potential escalation in hostilities’.

Other shows that received the most complaints over the year were Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine (2,302 complaints), Sky News’ Breakfast with Kay Burley (1800 and 1640 at two distinct times), and Lee Anderson’s Real World (1,697).

Meanwhile, Naked Education received 1285 complaints, while Love Island received 992.

Only two days after it aired, This Morning’s statements regarding celiac disease have already risen to the top of the list, with 1092 complaints.

Ofcom is presently examining the situation before determining whether or not to conduct an investigation.