ITV's revived reality series Big Brother finds itself at the centre of a mounting storm as broadcasting regulator Ofcom confirms being inundated with more than 600 formal complaints from viewers.
Controversy Erupts in the Diary Room
The flood of complaints stems from recent episodes that featured contentious conversations about transgender identities and alleged bullying behaviour among housemates. Viewers have expressed serious concerns about the programme's handling of sensitive topics and the welfare of participants.
According to Ofcom sources, the complaints primarily focus on two key areas:
- Alleged transphobic comments made during discussions between housemates
- Concerns about systematic bullying targeting specific contestants
- The production team's handling of these sensitive situations
Production Team Under Scrutiny
Insiders suggest that programme makers are reviewing the controversial footage and assessing their duty of care protocols. The volume of complaints has raised questions about whether the show's producers adequately anticipated potential controversies during the casting and production process.
This isn't the first time Big Brother has faced controversy, but the scale of complaints represents one of the largest backlashes since ITV revived the iconic reality format. The original Channel 4 series frequently found itself at the centre of national debates about reality television ethics.
Ofcom's Next Steps
The broadcasting watchdog has confirmed it is assessing the complaints against its broadcasting code, which requires programmes to avoid harmful or offensive material and protect members of the public from unfair treatment. A decision on whether to launch a formal investigation is expected in the coming days.
Meanwhile, social media platforms have been buzzing with debate about the incidents, with viewers divided between those calling for greater sensitivity and others defending the show's unfiltered approach to reality television.
ITV has yet to make an official statement regarding the complaints, but sources indicate that producers are closely monitoring the situation as the series continues to air.
