Cheryl has hit back after her performance on The X Factor 2018 prompted complaints to Ofcom.
Cheryl sang her brand new single Love Made Me Do It on Sunday’s show, four years since she released her last album ‘Only Human’.
The performance split viewers, with the YouTube video notching up 4,900 dislikes to 5,100 likes at the time of writing.
But it wasn’t just the questionable vocals that left some people annoyed, with a handful of viewers objecting to the ‘sexual tone’ of the performance.
15 people went so far as to make official complaints to TV watchdog Ofcom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bneOBsdpBEY
A spokesperson for the regulator said: “We’ve had 15 complaints objecting to sexual tone and clothing in Cheryl’s routine.”
They added: “We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules before deciding whether or not to investigate.”
Responding to the criticisms from some viewers and media, Cheryl took to Twitter today to post a message.
She said: “I wanted to start by saying thank you all so much for your lovely comments and support for my performance on Sunday. You may not have read about them but I definitely saw and felt them!
“Having spent 16 years in the public eye I have always been accepting of people’s opinions. Me personally, my music and performances are never going to be for everyone. And that’s OK. ”
Cheryl went on to slam the “sheer level of unbalanced negativity towards me in the tabloid press”, before concluding: “Ps… I did watch my performance back and I LOVED IT! ”
Ahead of her comeback, it was claimed that TV programmes had been fighting to get Cheryl on their shows, but she had decided to “remain loyal” to The X Factor.
Cheryl was a judge on the show between 2008 and 2010 and then again between 2014 and 2015.
According to The Sun newspaper, Cheryl’s ‘racy’ routine had already left producers nervous.
“Cheryl wants this performance to be remembered and it will be,” a source said before Sunday’s show. “She has been in rehearsals for the last few days and the routine will see her writhing around on the ground with 12 hot men dancing around her.
“No one has told Cheryl what to do, but they’ve been keeping a close eye on the creative team so the routine is suitable for a family audience.”
Meanwhile, Cheryl will be back on TV next year as a judge on a new dance competition.
Cheryl joins Matthew Morrison and Oti Mabuse as ‘Dance Captains’ on The Greatest Dancer, which will start in 2019.
The programme is produced by Simon Cowell’s Syco company together with the makers of Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor.
But it will air on BBC One, tipped to begin on Saturday nights in January.
Speaking about her new role, Cheryl said: “I’m so excited to be part of The Greatest Dancer!
“I’m looking for acts with real passion, who are going to push boundaries and give it their all.
“From my own dance background, I know the dedication and commitment dancing takes. I can’t wait to get started.”
The X Factor 2018 live shows are back next Saturday and Sunday night.
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