Channel 5 has been found in breach of Ofcom broadcasting rules following an unedited altercation between two housemates on last summer's Big Brother. The regulator received 165 complaints about the incident, which saw boxer Daley Ojuederie threaten and manhandle model Hazel O'Sullivan before being removed from the house.
Ofcom ruled that airing the confrontation without sufficient warning or editing was not justified by the context. The watchdog stated that Ojuederie's comments and actions were 'clearly capable of causing grave offence' and that producers should have intervened sooner.
In its defence, Channel 5 argued that Big Brother is known for handling controversial situations and that the incident was broadcast unedited to avoid misleading viewers who vote on housemates' fates. The broadcaster also noted that only 165 complaints were received from an audience of around 1.8 million.
However, Ofcom rejected these arguments, emphasising that viewers have different expectations for reality TV compared to fictional violence. The regulator said the lack of a more specific warning near the time of the broadcast meant the offence caused was not justified.
The incident occurred on 15 July, when O'Sullivan pulled down Ojuederie's shorts during a pillow fight. The boxer responded by pinning her down by the throat and threatening to 'nut one' on her. Big Brother intervened and eventually ejected Ojuederie, while O'Sullivan received a formal warning.
