Gogglebox: More than 200 complaints as stars accused of breaking social distancing rules
Popular show's stars have been defending themselves on Twitter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gogglebox has received hundreds of complaints by viewers concerned that its stars are breaking social distancing rules.
The C4 show continued to be shown weekly throughout coronavirus lockdown despite the fact that some members of the featured families don’t actually live together.
Now, according to The Sun, this has resulted in more than 200 complaints to the media regulator Ofcom – even after C4 assured viewers: “Just in case you’re worried, they are all keeping to the guidelines of social distancing.”
The complaints didn’t stop there, either. Many viewers tweeted their disapproval, with one writing: “People still flouting social distancing rules on Gogglebox, the longer that happens, the longer we will be in lockdown.”
Another wrote: “I’m confused. Are we practising social distancing and staying home or not?”
One family that appears on the show – the Malones – previously defended themselves from such criticism.
“Just going to put this out there so we are all up to date,” Julie Malone wrote on their shared Twitter account. ”I know the social distancing rules too, I love my grandkids, I would never put them or anyone else’s health in danger.”
She continued: “My daughter and her children live with us, so she can go to work as a nurse.”
Ofcom has said it is “assessing the complaints against our broadcast rules, but are yet to decided whether or not to investigate”.
C4 has said that each house was rigged with cameras before the lockdown was announced so the show could continue being filmed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments