Big Brother draws most TV complaints of 2014
The celebrity version of the reality TV series also angered a number of viewers
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Your support makes all the difference.Telly fans were most outraged by Big Brother this year, Ofcom has confirmed in its annual complaints figures release.
The communications watchdog has revealed that 3,784 people complained about the Channel 5 reality show, with the majority centring on eventual Helen Wood, who was accused of bullying other contestants.
Sister show Celebrity Big Brother drew the second highest number of complaints with 1,874, as eccentric Hollywood actor Gary Busey offended many on his way to being crowned champion.
Other programmes that attracted viewer disapproval included Channel 4 documentaries Cutting Edge: Going to the Dogs and Benefits Street, with ITV singing contest The X Factor also drawing complaints.
Soap opera Emmerdale angered viewers with its violent content, while Coronation Street’s gay kiss between two characters offended some, and the pre-watershed EastEnders rape scene caused problems for others.
The Sky News broadcast in which reporter Colin Brazier rummaged through the belongings of MH17 plane crash victims live on air also featured in the top ten after 205 people complained.
Brazier apologised two days after the report, writing in the Guardian that he had made a “serious error of judgement”.
Channel 4 News also appeared on the list despite there being no obvious cause for complaints. Many reportedly included references to presenter Jon Snow’s fashion choices.
The total number of complaints was neither distinctly up nor down on previous years, according to Ofcom.
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