Ofcom has revealed its list of the top 10 TV moments which received the most complaints this year.
The broadcasting watchdog released its annual review for 2022 and confirmed it had received a total of 36,453 complaints across the past 12 months. This is drastically down from 2021 when Ofcom received 173,132 complaints in a record breaking year.
The complaints over the past 12 months largely centred around reality TV shows such as Love Island and I'm A Celebrity. However, Ofcom's Director of Standards and Audience was keen to stress that just because a show has received complaints does not mean it has broken Ofcom rules.
READ MORE: Experts urge people not to put Amazon Echo in bedrooms
Adam Baxter said: "We carefully assessed complaints about both of these programmes and found that neither warranted further investigation under our rules.
He added: "When considering complaints about both of these programmes, we also took into account that these are long-running shows whose format is well-established. So viewers tuning in would expect to see couples’ relationships being tested during the course of Love Island and celebrities being subject to repetitive public votes to carry out trials on I’m a Celebrity."
We've rounded up a list of the top 10 TV moments which received the most complaints below.
1. Love Island
The popular reality show sparked 2,630 complaints for its episode on July 17. The complaints related to alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour by some contestants in the villa.
However, the regulator concluded the complaints "did not warrant formal investigation because of how this behaviour was put into context on the programme."
2. I'm A Celebrity
TV's toughest entertainment challenge was rocked with controversy this year as Matt Hancock joined the lineup. Many people criticised the addition as the former Health Secretary was forced to resign during the pandemic for breaking his own social distancing rules.
Ofcom concluded the programme did not breach any rules as "there is no ban on any particular person taking part in programmes". The regulator also stated an "almost identical number of complainants objected to what they saw as negative treatment of him on the show".
3. Friday Night Live
Jordan Gray's performance on the episode broadcast on October 21 prompted 1,548 complaints. However, the regulator dismissed the complaints and said it will not be taking the matter any further.
4. Love Island
The popular reality show sparked 1,523 complaints for its episode on July 19. The complaints related to alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour by some contestants in the villa.
However, the regulator concluded the complaints "did not warrant formal investigation because of how this behaviour was put into context on the programme."
5. Good Morning Britain
Richard Madeley faced backlash for comments made on an episode of Good Morning Britain broadcast on February 15. Ofcom received 860 complaints over comments the broadcaster made when he addressed death threats made to Sir Keir Starmer.
On the show, Andrew Pierce, consultant editor of the Daily Mail, said: " Politicians get that all the time." Richard responded as he said: "Well I was going to say, actually, is that that big a deal?’"
Richard issued a statement on the following episode to reiterate the fact that such threats are not acceptable. He said: "It was a really busy show yesterday, we had so much to do. I want to say one thing very quickly at the top here.
"I tried to pose a question on one of our early discussions on the programme about how prolific online death threats are. I didn’t actually quite press it properly, I didn’t go into it enough. I just want to reiterate the obvious statement that death threats clearly are never acceptable."
6. The Jeremy Vine show
Jeremy Vine faced backlash from viewers for an episode broadcast on January 24. Ofcom received 773 complaints for comments a health consultant made on the number of unvaccinated people in hospital with Covid-19.
7. Love Island
The popular reality show sparked 769 complaints for its episode on July 18. The complaints related to alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour by some contestants in the villa.
However, the regulator concluded the complaints "did not warrant formal investigation because of how this behaviour was put into context on the programme."
8. I'm A Celebrity
It wasn't just people complaining about Mr Hancock appearing on the show, some felt he was treated unfairly during his time Down Under.
627 viewers complained over bullying behaviour against Mr Hancock. However, Ofcom ruled there was no breach of the rules.
9. World Cup Final
Fifa's decision to award Qatar the World Cup was widely criticised due to the country's ban on same sex relationships and its treatment of migrant workers.
Gary Neville was part of the coverage of the final as Argentina took on France in the showpiece event on December 18. The Sky Sports pundit used the platform to criticise Qatar's treatment of migrant workers.
Ofcom received 605 complaints relating to "politicised comments" made by Neville during the broadcast.
10. Sky News
Sky News received 599 complaints from viewers over a broadcast on September 10 when it incorrectly suggested a protest march over the police shooting of Chris Kaba was a crowd of people mourning Queen Elizabeth II. Ofcom is currently investigating whether it breached the regulator's accuracy rules.
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
For more celeb news, videos and pictures follow our designated Facebook page HERE
Gogglebox's Ellie Warner supported as she shares Christmas update with boyfriend Nat
Ant McPartlin's seven-figure home in cosy part of England
ITV Coronation Street's David Platt corrected after Scouse jibe as Sam Blakeman exits
ITV Emmerdale's Cain Dingle actor 'replaced' as fans gobsmacked
Christine McGuinness signs off until 2023 after 'guilty' confession
