Ofcom has unveiled its annual list of the most complained about moments of the year, and the top 10 for 2021 have been revealed.
Every year, the British public make formal complaints to Ofcom in their thousands over segments of television, or the shows themselves, that they find offensive or deem to be too inappropriate to be broadcast – and so, every year, the government-approved regulatory authority decides to release a list of the most complained about moments.
2021 has been a record year for complaints in the UK, with Ofcom revealing that more than 150,000 complaints were made throughout the calendar year.
Complaints made about BBC shows do not count and are not included in the list.
“Interestingly, it’s a relatively small number of TV shows driving the lion’s share – the top five most-complained about programmes account for 80% of all complaints,” explained Adam Baxter – Ofcom’s Director of Standards and Audience Protection.
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“Social media also has its influence on complaints figures.
“But for me, these volumes demonstrate the British public’s interest and passion for TV and radio programmes, and shows just how important they are to the cultural fabric of our nation.”
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2021 marks a record year of complaints to our broadcasting standards team.
Your complaints serve a vital purpose in alerting us to your concerns – we assess each and every one against the Broadcasting Code.
Taking the top spot in 2021 was Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan’s controversial comments about Meghan Markle during her interview with Oprah Winfrey, where a total of 54,595 complaints were made, before Morgan was called out by co-presenter Alex Beresford, stormed off the set, and then days later, quit the show.
The actual Meghan and Harry interview was the fourth most controversial TV moment of the year, with 6,486 complaints.
In second place with 24,921 complaints was the episode of Love Island which showed Faye’s heated discussion with Teddy, where she accused him of cheating on her with another contestant – which ultimately turned out to be incorrect.
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The moment where Love Island’s producers sent a postcard from Casa Amor into the main villa to stir up drama, which inadvertently caused Faye to believe Teddy was cheating on her, came in fifth place with 4,337 complaints.
The third most-complained about TV moment was the Channel 5 documentary What Happened to Your Face – with 7,125 people formally complaining about the show’s comments about the appearance of several celebrities.
More than 150,000 complaints were made throughout the calendar year / Credit: ITV | CBS
Top 10 Most Complained About TV Moments 2021
Good Morning Britain (Piers Morgan’s Meghan Markle comments) – 54,595
Love Island (Faye’s treatment of Teddy) – 24,921
What Happened to Your Face (Channel 5) – 7,125
Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey – 6,486
Good Morning Britain (Piers Morgan’s general comments) – 3,249
Good Morning Britain (Dr Hilary Jones criticising fake COVID-19 leaflet) – 2,632
Good Morning Britain (A debate about “ditching unvaccinated friends”) – 2,104
This Morning (A segment titled “How to lose the lockdown pounds”) – 1,942
Featured Image – ITV
Trending
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
Trending
Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
21st December 2021 
