Good Morning Britain has topped the list of 2017’s most complained about TV shows.
Over 1,100 people complained about the ITV Breakfast show over a September interview with “gay cure therapist” Dr. Michael Davidson.
He described homosexuality as a “sin”, claimed it was “reversible” and a “socially constructed concept”.
GMB defended the interview, tweeting at the time: “Our item with a doctor who claims to ‘cure’ gay people caused controversy yesterday. Should offensive views not be aired even if challenged?”
Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan tweeted today after news of the complaints was revealed: “BOOM! No1 ??”
In second place was Sky News, which received over 1,000 complaints for its Press Preview segment in June. Journalist Melanie Phillips’s inflammatory comments about Islam caused controversy as she spoke about the latest newspaper headlines.
Next in the rankings was Amanda Holden’s Britain’s Got Talent dress.
Amanda’s risqué outfit back in May’s live shows resulted in 665 official objections to TV regulator Ofcom, but they rejected the complaints.
The watchdog said that the outfit “would not have exceeded most viewers’ expectations” and added that “while some outfits were revealing, we considered it was appropriately scheduled”.
Amanda herself quipped of her dresses: “Will people be complaining to Ofcom? I hope so, I really do. I haven’t done my job if they aren’t.”
2017’s Most Complained About Shows
Up to December 20. Official complaints to Ofcom
Good Morning Britain on ITV – 1,142 complaints
Press Preview on Sky News – 1,063 complaints
Britain’s Got Talent on ITV – 665 complaints
Coronation Street on ITV – 541 complaints
Comic Relief 2017 on BBC 1 – 339 complaints
