Gogglebox has had its fair share of controversial moments over the years.
The Channel 4 series first hit our screens back in 2013.
Over the past nine years, fans have been welcomed into the homes of the arm chair critics as they offer their honest views on the latest shows on telly.
While the programme often provides some well-needed laughs, it isn’t always all fun and games.
The show often covers some controversial topics.
At times, fans have found themselves switching off due to the ranging opinions of the families and friends who make up the cast of the show.
Daily Star have taken a look at some of the most complained about Gogglebox moments that have made their way to TV regulator Ofcom over the years.
Royal riot
(Image: Channel 4)
Viewers were left outraged when Gogglebox aired scenes from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s famed tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview.
The offending segment saw Harry discuss with Oprah how there had been suggestions by the palace that Meghan make a return to acting in order to pay for their security detail.
At the time Stephen Webb was shown reacting: “What did they want her to do? Get her a part in EastEnders?”
(Image: Channel 4)
Meanwhile, brother and sister Pete and Sophie Sandiford waded in, with Sophie saying: “Stick her in the gift shop while you’re at it.
“You know, 30 hours a week in the gift shop should cover her funds.”
The comments sparked 51 complaints to the regulator Ofcom.
At the time a spokesperson said: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
Lockdown controversy
(Image: Channel 4)
In April 2020, the cast of Gogglebox were hit with Ofcom complaints after several members appeared to breach lockdown rules.
During one episode, Jenny and Lee, brother and sister Sophie and Pete and Ellie and Izzi were among the regular sofa critics to appear on the show.
However, airing at the height of the covid-19 lockdown and while Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in hospital with the virus, viewers quickly took to social media during the episode to question why the friends and family members were sat together on the sofa as normal, even if they don’t live together.
It later emerged that the broadcasting regulator received 20 complaints because of the episode.
Channel 4 later confirmed that all lockdown rules had been adhered to and steps had been taken to ensure the safety of both the cast and crew.
Suicide horror
(Image: Channel 4)
A huge 92 people complained to Ofcom when the show aired harrowing scenes depicting suicide from HBO drama The Third Day.
The clip saw a young girl trying to kill herself before actor Jude Law’s character saved her.
At the time, viewers rushed to Twitter to share their thoughts on the decision by Gogglebox to air the scenes.
One person wrote: “Enjoying the new series but would have liked a trigger warning for the depiction of suicide in the episode tonight.”
Another added: “So I’ve just done my first ever Ofcom complaint about Gogglebox last night.
“That hanging scene was so horrendous, distressing and so unnecessary on a light entertainment show. Suicide is such a massive issue and Channel 4 were completely wrong to show that clip. Shame on you.”
Sex tourist comment
(Image: C4)
When Giles Wood sat down with wife Mary Killen to watch an episode of Strictly Come Dancing his subsequent reactions to a performance from Bill Bailey and his professional dance partner Oti Mabuse were not well received.
Giles wasn’t impressed with Bill’s performance and exclaimed: “He looks like a sex tourist. Look at that movement Mary.”
Mary then agreed with him continuing the critique as she labelled their 2020 ChaCha “embarrassing.”
An Ofcom spokeswoman later told The Sun Online that they had received complaints about the episode of gogglebox, “mainly about alleged homophobic comments and 2 complaints about Giles’ description of Bill Bailey as a ‘sex tourist’.”
Subtitles
Gogglebox bosses found themselves in hot water with Ofcom when they failed to fix a technical issue that saw the show’s deaf viewers frozen out for weeks due to a lack of subtitles.
At the time Ofcom considered taking action against the broadcaster for the lack of action on the issue.
A spokesperson said: “We remain deeply concerned about the scale of the technical failures experienced by Channel 4 and the length of time taken to fix them.
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“These problems have caused deep upset and frustration among people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted.
“Channel 4 did not have strong backup measures in place. It should not have taken several weeks to provide a clear, public plan and timeline for fixing the problem.”
They added: “We expect Channel 4 to meet the timings it has set for restoring all its services. When this is done, Ofcom will review the equipment and facilities that Channel 4 had in place.”
Gogglebox airs Fridays on Channel 4 at 9pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
