Most complained about TV of 2024 – XL bullies, Love Island row and dog poisoning
As the end of the year approaches, Daily Star looks back at some of the TV moments that had thousands of viewers writing in to object to what they saw on their screens
The most-complained moments on television this year have been unveiled.
This year has seen a host of different iconic TV moments - from Diane's legendary reveal on BBC's The Traitors, to Danny Jones' win on I'm A Celebrity on ITV. However, not every item which aired on our screens was quite as well-received.
With the end of the year approaching, viewers have been looking back at some of the most infuriating moments on television in the past 12 months. With two weeks left to go until the year is over, however, the data could shift further still.
- Hollyoaks slapped with over 350 Ofcom complaints over Rose's gender identity storyline
- ITV This Morning hit with over 1k Ofcom complaints over 'dangerous' Vanessa Feltz
In the meantime, the results of a study by online casino site BetPokies have revealed some of the most complained about TV moments of the year. The case looked into Ofcom's weekly complaint rates for each week of 2024, and generated a ranking based on how many objections were lodged with the watchdog.
So, as 2024 draws to an end, Daily Star looks at some of the most complained about moments on television in the past year.
Labour love lost
Currently, the most complained about TV moment aired on ITV morning news show Good Morning Britain. The episode airing on August 5 was the show's most controversial instalment of the year, as it featured interviews with Labour's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
The show also included chats with independent MP Zarah Sultana, an outspoken politician who riled viewers with her steadfast views on the ongoing war in Gaza. People watching the show were livid at the opinions expressed in the show and rushed to Ofcom to make their complaints.
According to the study, the episode garnered a whopping 16,783 complaints. This is more than eight times as many objections as what had ranked in second place.
Love Island bust-up
Earning second place with just 1,831 complaints, ITV reality titan Love Island rubbed many viewers up the wrong way. The episode, which aired on July 24, featured the intense argument that erupted between Sean, Ciaran and Josh.
The argument sprouted after Sean Stone and Joey Essex went in on their fellow Islanders, leading to bickering between the two, alongside Ciaran Davies. The constant arguments between the lads resulted in a total of 253 "serious complaints" being made to Ofcom within 24 hours of the airdate.
Viewers were also left feeling uncomfortable after another row broke out during the Grafties. The challenge saw the Islanders having to guess the result of a viewer vote which asked which couple were only staying together to claim the £50k cash prize.
XL bully ban
Good Morning Britain featured several times in the results of the study due to the controversial news topics that were being discussed. The edition of the show on May 30 was also particularly enraging as it claimed 1,765 complaints to Ofcom.
In the episode, a debate on the efficacy of the XL bully ban was held between columnist Mike Perry and dog trainer Kay Taiwo. During the heated discussion, the pair eventually descended into chaos - resulting in a screaming match between the pair, as hosts Ranvir Singh and Richard Madeley tried to keep things civil.
The debate was sparked following the introduction of the ban on XL bully dogs and the subsequent incidents that happened after the ban was brought into force. This included the death of a 23-year-old, as well as the increased demand for the dog breeds to be euthanised after they were banned from being pets.
Pooch poisonings
Finishing in fourth place in the list was an episode of ITV soap Emmerdale, which aired on May 27, 2024. The instalment was particularly controversial as it involved the poisoning of Belle Dingle's dog Piper by resident baddie Tom King.
The harrowing storyline, which formed part of Belle's growing torment at the hands of her partner, saw viewers recoil in horror as the dog was injected with poison. As he administered the deadly substance, Tom snickered: "Don’t worry, this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you. Actually, maybe not."
Viewers were so distraught, over 850 complaints were made to the regulator. Emmerdale bosses were quick to dissuade any more complaints being made, however, and reassured viewers that the dog was perfectly fine and not injured during filming whatsoever.
Full top 10 list
- Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 05/08/2024, 16,783 complaints
- Love Island, ITV2, 24/07/2024, 1,831 complaints
- Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 30/05/2024, 1,765 complaints
- Emmerdale, ITV1, 27/05/2024, 826 complaints
- Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate, ITV1, 04/06/2024, 686 complaints
- This Morning, ITV1, 28/05/2024, 637 complaints
- People's Forum: The Prime Minister, GB News, 12/02/2024, 535 complaints
- Farage, GB News, 28/02/2024, 472 complaints
- Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 18/06/2024, 471 complaints
- Talk Today with Jeremy Kyle and Rosie Wright, TalkTV, 14/02/2024, 392 complaints
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