Gogglebox fans rushed to complain to Ofcom after being angered by “derogatory” comments made on Friday night’s show.
The Channel 4 programme only recently returned to telly after a summer break, but the Friday night favourite has already sparked controversy.
In the first show back, The Michael family were seen watching a clip on the BBC, in which the coronavirus pandemic was being discussed.
Louis and sister Alex were sat with their parents Andrew and Carolyne when Louis commented on the current global health situation.
“It seems crazy that they were putting out all of these schemes like Eat Out To Help Out and trying basically to get everyone back to normal, and now they’re blaming young people,” the youngster said.
(Image: Channel 4)
His sister Alex replied: “It just seems backwards to me because if there’s small group of people who are at risk of dying, then it should be them self-isolating – not the large group of young people.
“And also it should be their choice because if they’re aware of the risks and the statistics then it should be their choice whether they isolate or not.
“But to make everyone else put their lives on hold, it’s ridiculous.”
(Image: Channel 4)
Some viewers were less than impressed by the comments, taking to social media to denounce the family’s opinions.
Taking to Twitter, one angry viewer seethed: “The Michael family. So bloody selfish and ignorant. I’ll just give up working and hide in a box. Happy now?”
“I bloody love #GOGGLEBOX but that ableism from the Michael family is absolutely disgusting,” Another commented.
“What do they think vulnerable people with jobs are supposed to do? If they stay home they won’t get paid. So die of Covid or die of starvation? Should expect nowt less from the UKIP fam,” they continued.
But some took their digest with the comments further, taking their complaint to the television regulator Ofcom.
According to The Sun, Ofcom said viewers were unhappy with the “derogatory” comments, and suggested the references to those who were affected by coronavirus – including elderly and vulnerable people – were “insensitive”.
Ofcom received 16 complaints about Friday night’s show, nine of those relating to the Michael family’s comments.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk