DFDS has apologised after a pornographic film was mistakenly broadcast on a ferry from France to Sussex, leaving children “screaming”. The incident occurred on a service from Dieppe to Newhaven, where passengers had been watching a Formula One grand prix.
The ferry company said the “adult film” was shown on a lounge television after the race, during a delay caused by a technical fault at Newhaven port. A passenger described the content as “hardcore porn” and said children ran out of the lounge screaming.
DFDS stated that crew were unaware the film was scheduled and changed the channel as soon as they were alerted. The channel has since been removed from the vessel’s available stations. “This will not happen again,” a spokesperson said. “We are very sorry for the understandable upset and anger that this caused.”
One anonymous passenger told the Argus newspaper that the incident was “a bit mad”, adding that parents urged a staff member to switch off the television. The passenger noted that the ferry crossing was already troubled by delays, and the broadcast added to passenger discontent.
