An on-air debate on a popular ITV show has sparked hundreds of complaints to Ofcom.
TV hosts on ITV's Loose Women were discussing the Ukraine crisis when the show's presenters got into a debate about refugees.
The lunchtime show was broadcast on Tuesday, March 1, and since then, viewers have expressed their thoughts on the programme's segment.
Asking how Russia's invasion of Ukraine was 'affecting you', the panel of four - Charlene White, Janet Street Porter, Katie Piper, and Coleen Nolan - discussed, what was then, the sixth day of the crisis.
Charlene spoke about reports of Black students being left stranded at the Polish border after suffering racism, reported Manchester Evening News.
She said: "My heart really does go out to the Ukrainian people and those in the bordering countries doing all they can to try and help them, but [they] will not help anybody whose skin is darker.
"I think that’s a very clear reflection of what it is the world is dealing with – and this isn’t just in Ukraine, this happens in wars the world over, especially when it comes to migrant workers.
"The difference I think this time, is that it’s a younger demographic who are used to posting on TikTok, on Twitter, on Facebook and they’re telling their story."
After Charlene gave her thoughts, Janet added that Poland has "exceeded all expectations," saying: "I hear what you’re saying, and I completely understand it.
"On the news last night, they did show how some of the students talking about how badly they had been treated and the effort it had taken for them to cross the border. But I also think that Poland has exceeded all expectations in accepting 150,000 refugees."
The pair then entered into a back and forth over the issue Meanwhile, a number of viewers took issue with the conversation, expressing their views on social media at the time.
But Ofcom has now revealed it received 211 complaints for the segment on ITV on March 1.
It said 180 complaints were made in relation to comments made as the pair discussed minority ethnic refugees fleeing Ukraine, while a further 33 complaints related to a discussion about racism and the crisis in Ukraine.
Following the episode last week, Charlene, who also presents the ITV News, responded to claims she was 'playing the race card' after receiving backlash online.
"For those throwing the phrase, 'playing the race card' at me today re @loosewomen… let me be VERY clear," she began in the tweet she shared.
"You feeling uncomfortable hearing someone talking about race is not my concern, when the concern ought to be directed towards the victims who are subjected to it."
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