It’s that time of year once again… Ofcom has revealed what the top 10 most complained-about moments were on TV last year.
In what has become an annual tradition we all wait for with baited breath, the UK’s official communications regulator – which receives and deals with tens of thousands of complaints all throughout the year – has taken a look back at the previous year and pulled together a top 10 list of what the most complained-about TV moments were.
This year, it’s no surprise to see the usual offenders like Love Island, Good Morning Britain, and Big Brother make the cut – but which claimed the top spot for 2025?
Ofcom admitted 2025 was a ‘busy year’ for its team, received almost 50,000 complaints about more than 8,000 TV, radio, and on-demand programmes.
The regulator says this is a ‘clear sign’ that audiences care deeply about what they watch and listen to.
“Every single complaint matters,” Ofcom said in a statement as the top 10 list was revealed. “We carefully review each and every one, ensuring that all broadcasters are held to the same high standards that UK viewers and listeners expect.”
In what is a landslide, but unfortunate, victory for Love Island, the hugely popular ITV reality show actually claimed the top three places on this year’s most-complained about list, racking up a whopping 8,058 complaints in total and the majority of those relating to alleged bullying behaviour towards contestant Shakira.
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The top five was rounded out by Channel 5’s Vanessa show, which related to a discussion on breastfeeding and its benefits, and GB News’ Headliners section, which objected to a presenter’s comment which they believed linked the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles.
Top 10 most complained-about TV moments of 2025
Love Island – ITV2, 24 July 2025 – 3,547 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 22 July 2025 – 2,509 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 23 July 2025 – 2,002 complaints
Vanessa – Channel 5, 10 June 2025 – 1,866 complaints
Headliners – GB News, 22 January 2025 – 1,391 complaints
Today with Samantha Washington – Sky News, 7 June 2025 – 1,302 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 25 July 2025 – 1,296 complaints
Love Island: All Stars – ITV2, 12 February 2025 – 1,240 complaints
Celebrity Big Brother – ITV2, 9 April 2025 – 1,008 complaints
The BRIT Awards 2025 – ITV1, 1 March 2025 – 938 complaints
Love Island, and it’s accompanying Love Island: All Stars series – which actually begins airing its third series next Monday (12 January 2026) – claimed another three spots in the top 10, again all relating to alleged bullying behaviour.
Celebrity Big Brother also features, with complaints relating to comments made by Mickey Rourke to JoJo Siwa.
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Finally, The BRIT Awards 2025 closes out the top 10, with complaints relating to a number of issues – including Sabrina Carpenter’s opening dance routine, and to Charli XCX’s outfit.
It is always worth noting, however, that this top 10 list figures don’t include complaints about programmes on the BBC, as under the BBC Charter, these are handled by the BBC in the first instance as part of the ‘BBC first process’.
Featured Image – Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
TV & Showbiz
A live concert version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
We know it’s not even the summer yet, but we’re about to drop the C word, because a live concert version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is coming to Manchester.
An all-time classic, adored by children and adults alike, Disney’s Muppet Christmas Carol is arguably one of the best seasonal watches of all time.
Set to be hosted right here in the city centre at one of the most magnificent entertainment venues, the much-loved, festive and musical will be celebrated in its true glory, courtesy of a full orchestra.
It isn’t the first time special screenings of this family-friendly favourite have been held here in Manchester – nor is it the first time the UK has been treated to this particular tour – but if you haven’t tried a Disney Concerts experience before, this is an ideal opportunity.
Announcing not one but two dates at the beautiful Bridgewater Hall, The Muppets’ twist on the legendary Charles Dickens tale, which will see the visuals brought to life with the backing of strings, brass, percussion – the whole shebang.
If you’ve ever been to see one of these ‘live in concert’ type shows, you’ll know how magical they can make rewatching even something you’ve seen countless times before.
With Disney Music Group’s regular troupe of touring players taking on the original score and well-known soundtrack, you won’t be able to help but sing back every word.
Originally composed by Miles Goodman (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Little Shop of Horrors), along with songs by Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy-winning songwriter, Paul Williams (Rainbow Connection and Evergreen), there’s a reason the sound of this film, specifically, has stuck with so many people.
Just imagine this on the big screen as all the instruments kick in right then and there, in the flesh…
Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert – 2026 UK tour dates
We’ve also highlighted some other Northern options for you:
28 November – London Eventim Apollo
29 November – Poole Lighthouse
1 December – Bradford Live
2 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
3 December – Edinburgh Usher Hall
4 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
5 December – Southend Cliffs Pavilion
7 December – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
8 December – Birmingham Symphony Hall
9 December – Birmingham Symphony Hall
10 December – Sheffield City Hall
11 December – Bath Forum
13 December – Brighton Centre
14 December – Portsmouth Guildhall
17 December – Manchester Bridgwater Hall
With performances booked for 7pm on 7 December and the same time on 17 December, Members’ pre-sale goes live this coming Thursday, 23 April at 10am.
As for general admission, tickets will be available from the same time on Friday, 24 April; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
It’s not the only big Christmassy concert coming to town this year.
UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for new series
Emily Sergeant
Are you looking to move but finding the house hunting process a lot harder than you thought it would be?
Well, this could be the helping hand you need.
The UK’s biggest property show, Location, Location, Location – which has been a fixture in Channel 4’s schedule for more than 20 years at this point – is looking for house hunters from across Manchester for the new series.
First airing all the way back in 2000, if you’ve never seen Location, Location, Location, it’s fronted by presenters and property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer who head all across the UK to help buyers in search for their dream home.
Despite being on our TV screens for 26 years at this point, Kirstie and Phil have never tired in their efforts to match the nation’s hopeful house hunters with their perfect home.
For its next series being filmed this May, Channel 4 are now looking for individuals, families, and couples from Greater Manchester who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to find their next home.
The UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for its new series / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, first timer buyers, or looking for a forever home, Channel 4 wants to hear from you.
“We are casting for the new series, and we are interested in hearing from chain free (or SSTC) house hunters who would be ready to buy in May this year,” a spokesperson for Channel 4 said as the casting call was announced.
“Applications are now open and we’re looking for individuals, families and couples who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to buy their dream home.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th January 2026 
