Gogglebox sparks Ofcom complaints over 'homophobic' comments
Gogglebox has sparked Ofcom complaints from viewers after two different cast members made controversial comments on last week's episode.
Pete Sandiford - who watches TV on the Channel 4 show with his sister, Sophie - dressed up in sexy lingerie as a Halloween costume for laughs.
Sophie was snorting with laughter at her brother, who hobbled into the lounge wearing a lacy, black body, a tight mini skirt, fishnets and high heels, as well as a black, curly wig.
Almost going head first before getting to the sofa, Pete said, "Oh my God, I'm going to have to take these heels off - how do women wear this s**t?"
He added, "I look like a d***head, honestly - this outfit says 'I'm getting c**k tonight.'"
Sophie laughed, "That is the look we were going for."
But Pete insisted, "Well it's not the look I want to give off!"
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While many viewers found it hilarious, eight people were left so unimpressed they complained to TV watchdog Ofcom, branding Pete's comments homophobic.
And two more complaints were made of the same episode, as Giles Wood described Bill Bailey as looking like a "sex tourist" on Strictly Come Dancing's launch show.
Giles, who lives with his wife Mary Killen, was watching Bill perform the Cha Cha Cha on the BBC dance competition, and said to his wife, "He looks like a sex tourist. Look at that movement Mary.”
Mary then described the dance as "embarrassing".
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that, complaints "were mainly about alleged homophobic comments and two complaints about Giles’ description of Bill Bailey as a 'sex tourist'."
The complaints come after Gogglebox stars received backlash from viewers who were concerned that they weren't following social distancing rules in lockdown.
The Friday night favourite was hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints from fans furious that the cast were flouting coronavirus guidelines.
Responding to the stir, a show spokesperson confirmed, "Most of the families live together but where they don't, they are complying with PHE social distancing guidelines.
"Gogglebox will only film with families where it's safe to do so. The health and safety of our cast and crew is paramount."
Hayley is a Celebrity Features Editor with more than five years' experience in online and magazines. She currently looks after all things celebrity for Woman, Woman’s Own, Woman’s Weekly, Woman & Home, and Goodto.com. Before joining Future, Hayley spent a year as a TV reporter for Mirror Online and a year and a half as a showbiz and TV reporter for OK! Online - but was forced to write about tech and cars for a year before that, despite knowing nothing about either!.
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