TV watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into controversial episodes of Celebrity Big Brother and Loose Women.
The regulator said that 25,257 viewers complained about an allegation of physical abuse made by former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett against Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas on Celebrity Big Brother.
Read more: Roxanne Pallett’s rep addresses claim she tried to contact CBB housemate
Ryan, who was crowned the show’s winner, was accused by Roxanne of hurting her with a punch, which many viewers defended as play-fighting in the final series of the Channel 5 show.
Viewers expressed offence, distress and concern at Roxanne’s allegation and the way in which it was handled by Celebrity Big Brother.
Ofcom will look at whether “appropriate information” was broadcast by Channel 5 which may have assisted “in avoiding or minimising offence” to viewers.
An Ofcom spokeswoman said: “We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules on offensive content.”
Roxanne quit the show following the incident, but later publicly apologised to Ryan and said she had got it wrong and made a massive mistake.
Meanwhile, over on ITV, 7,900 viewers complained about the Loose Women panel’s treatment of guest Kim Woodburn, who eventually walked off set.
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan clashed with Kim on the show after they had initially feuded on a previous series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Coleen was criticised following the incident and later announced she was taking a hiatus from all work commitments, including Loose Women, and she would postpone her solo tour due to start in January.
Read more: Loose Women send special message to Katie Price
The Ofcom spokeswoman said: “We are investigating whether this programme fell short of generally accepted standards.”
An investigation by Ofcom does not mean a broadcaster has done anything wrong; not all investigations result in breaches of the codes, rules, licence conditions or other regulatory requirements being recorded.
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