The UK's broadcasting watchdog, Ofcom, has unveiled its list of the most complained-about television moments for 2025, with ITV's flagship dating show Love Island dominating the rankings. Five separate episodes from the reality series feature in the top ten, cementing its status as the programme that most provoked viewer ire this year.
While reality TV attracted the bulk of the scrutiny, other genres also sparked significant backlash. Performances at the BRIT Awards, discussions on daytime television, and contentious comments on news channels all prompted thousands of viewers to lodge formal complaints with the regulator.
Love Island's Bullying Controversies Top the Chart
The single most complained-about broadcast of the year was a Love Island episode aired on 24 July. It garnered a staggering 3,547 complaints centred on the alleged bullying of contestant Shakira Khan. This incident set the tone for a series that would ultimately accumulate 14,121 complaints in total, representing around three in ten of all complaints made to Ofcom in 2025.
Other notable entries from the show included the episode from 22 July, which received 2,509 complaints related to bullying and the return of contestant Megan Forte Clarke. Further episodes on 25 July and from the All Stars version on 12 February also made the list, with complaints focusing on contestant behaviour and dialogue.
Beyond the Villa: Awards Shows and Daytime Debates
Outside the Love Island villa, the BRIT Awards on 1 March proved controversial. The ITV1 broadcast attracted 938 complaints, with viewers objecting to singer Sabrina Carpenter's opening dance routine and fellow performer Charli XCX's choice of attire for the evening.
Daytime television also found itself under fire. An episode of Vanessa Feltz's chat show, Vanessa, which aired on 10 June, drew 1,866 complaints. Viewers claimed that a segment discussing the benefits of breastfeeding was misleading and contained misinformation.
GB News Breaches Rules with "Highly Offensive" Remark
Perhaps the most serious regulatory breach came from GB News. An episode of Headliners on 22 January received 1,391 complaints from the public after presenter Josh Howie made comments linking the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles during a discussion. Ofcom later ruled that the programme broke broadcasting rules, describing the remark as "highly offensive."
In addition to public complaints, this segment prompted a further 71,851 complaints gathered and submitted by the non-profit organisation the Good Law Project, highlighting the widespread offence caused.
Other programmes making the list included an episode of Today with Samantha Washington on 7 June, which received complaints about its coverage of a Gaza aid boat, and a Celebrity Big Brother episode on 9 April featuring comments made by actor Mickey Rourke to singer JoJo Siwa.
Despite the high-profile cases, Ofcom noted in its report that complaint numbers have fallen from 2024, and while fewer investigations were opened and closed, these levels are consistent with those seen in 2021. The regulator confirmed that reality TV continues to attract the most scrutiny, making up more than half of the ten most complained-about programmes.
