Ofcom has launched an inquiry into Celebrity Big Brother after receiving over 25,000 complaints about Roxanne Pallett's allegation that she was physically abused by Ryan Thomas. The watchdog confirmed it is investigating whether the programme breached rules on offensive content.
Pallett left the show on 1 September after claiming she was 'punched' by Thomas, who later received a formal warning. She subsequently apologised, saying she 'overreacted' to a 'playful' act. Thomas went on to win the final edition of the series.
Ofcom reported 21,500 complaints about the initial incident, aired at the end of August, with an additional 3,747 complaints later, totalling 25,247. Pallett quit her radio job and pulled out of a pantomime role following a public backlash.
Channel 5 confirmed earlier this month that the show's most recent series would be its last, and Big Brother will also end after its current series finishes.
Separately, Ofcom is investigating Loose Women over Kim Woodburn's appearance on 29 August, after 7,900 complaints about a row with panellist Coleen Nolan that led Woodburn to walk off set in tears.
