The most talked about reality TV shows in recent history are nothing without a slice of controversy, with hit shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and Love Island have produced a wave of shocking reactions from fans across the globe and at home.
The most recent series of Love Island even garnered 69 complaints from viewers in the period between 28th June to July 4th alone, and with controversial Love Island contestant Adam Collard's surprising return to the villa, many are anticipating further complaints after his 2018 stint saw him being accused of gaslighting then-love interest, Rosie Williams.
Hence why experts at Affise have compiled a list of the most complained about TV moments of all time, from binge-worthy reality TV show moments to explosive interviews, where these shows and celebs have been complained about the most to Ofcom.
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Big Brother in 2015 - 2,024 complaints
The reality show received 2,024 complaints from viewers during the 2015 series regarding concerns over bullying. Complaints flooded Ofcom after housemates Helen Wood and Marc O’Neill was heard describing fellow contestant Brian Belo as looking “like a murderer and a rapist.”
The offensive remarks led to Brian leaving the show and called out his housemates for being “bullies”. Despite Big Brother issuing a warning to its housemates on bullying, Ofcom decided not to open a formal investigation.
Love Island - 2,644 complaints
In 2018, reality TV show phenomenon Love Island underwent a series of thumbs downs from unhappy viewers, with a total of 2,644 viewers issuing complaints to Ofcom after an episode aired of contestant Dani Dyer crying as a result of then partner Jack Fincham being suspected of cheating.
Viewers argued that the producers of the show continued to publicise Dani's belief of Jack cheating on her for the purposes of entertainment and drama.
Rihanna and Christina Aguilera’s X-Factor performance - 2,868 complaints
In 2010, Rihanna and Christina Aguilera appeared during an episode of The X Factor for performances that caused a stir for being "too explicit".
While the superstars were helping to support then contestants Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle, the second set of performances saw Aguilera don a very low-cut black dress while cavorting with an army of lingerie-clad dancers, while Rihanna put on a show to remember in pants and strapless bra.
Faye being mislead over Teddy’s Casa Amor behaviour on Love Island – 5,000 complaints
During last year's series of Love Island, the show broke records in the complaints department, with Ofcom receiving 5,000 complaints due to contestant Faye Winter being mislead over partner Teddy Soares’ behaviour in Casa Amor.
Viewers were angered after the main villa was sent a postcard featuring a photo of Teddy kissing another girl. Despite the picture being taken during a challenge, Faye was triggered by the photo and decided she wanted to find someone else by picking contestant Sam to move on with.
4,330 of the complaints came from from people who said the postcard was “misleading and caused unnecessary distress” and an additional 600 complaints were also made two days later after the recoupling episode where Teddy was left single on the island.
Kim Woodburn interview on Loose Women - 8,002 complaints
In 2018, the popular daytime chat show Loose Women came under fire after 8,000 complaints fired back at the Loose Women panel for causing the queen of clean Kim Woodburn to storm out of her interview.
Kim had been invited on to speak with Coleen Nolan following their fight on Celebrity Big Brother and viewers headed to Ofcom to speak out about the interview as they believed Kim was ganged upon throughout, which resulted in Kim walking out of the set and branded her CBB co-star as “trash”.
Faye’s outburst at Teddy on Love Island – 24,763 complaints
Another Faye and Teddy moment that left viewers astonished, was her screaming at him upon his return from Casa Amor, where the entire villa were allowed to watch clips back.
Ofcom confirmed it had received 24,763 complaints as the episode saw Faye shouting and swearing at Teddy after she saw a clip of him telling Clarisse he was sexually attracted to her, which followed a tirade of negative responses to express how uncomfortable the scene was to watch. To add, a men’s domestic abuse charity released a statement calling her behaviour “unacceptable”, while others demanded Faye to be taken off the show.
Jade Goody & Shilpa Shetty, Celebrity Big Brother - 44,500 complaints
In 2007, Ofcom received a whopping 44.500 complaints due to a fight between the late Jade Goody and actor Shilpa Shetty during this explosive season of CBB.
Other housemates mocked Shetty by stating that they couldn’t pronounce Shetty’s name and instead called her “Princess” and “the Indian”, as Jade Goody was the main subject of controversy by stating that Shetty needed “a day in the slums”.
Piers Morgan’s comments on Meghan Markle, Good Morning Britain - 57,121 complaints
Among the most complained about segments in Ofcom history is Piers Morgan’s comments on the Oprah interview with Meghan and Harry.
During the tell-all interview, Meghan opened up about her mental health, as well as her struggles such as how she “didn’t want to be alive”. However, Good Morning Britain host at the time, Morgan, controversially said he ‘didn’t believe’ Meghan’s claims, which received a staggering 41,015 complaints by 2pm on the same day. Consequently an investigation was launched.
Later that day, Morgan quit the show. On the following day on Wednesday, the figure increased to whopping 57,121 complaints.
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