Piers Morgan celebrates as Good Morning Britain tops Ofcom complaints for 2017

A heated debate between Morgan and Dr Michael Davidson on homosexuality sparked 1,142 complaints
Emma Powell28 December 2017

Good Morning Britain is officially the most complained about TV show of 2017 – and Piers Morgan is planning to celebrate the feat.

The ITV breakfast show topped the annual Ofcom list after a heated debate between Morgan and Dr Michael Davidson on homosexuality sparked 1,142 complaints.

On hearing the news Morgan posted: “BOOM! No1.”

He later retweeted a post from former UKIP leader Nigel Farage which read: “He’s doing something right then!”

ITV was criticised for inviting Dr Davidson onto the show on September 5 after he claimed homosexuality is “an aberration”, “a sin” and “in some cases reversible”.

Morgan hit back at the comments, saying: “You know what we call these people?

“We call them horrible little bigots in the modern world. Bigoted people who talk complete claptrap and, in my view, a malevolent and dangerous part of our society.”

ITV defended the decision to air an interview with Dr Davidson, tweeting: “Our item with a doctor who claims to 'cure' gay people caused controversy yesterday. Should offensive views not be aired even if challenged?”

Good Morning Britain features twice on the annual list, with an interview with English Defence League co-founder Tommy Robinson attracting 176 complaints.

Other shows to attract an avalanche of complaints included an episode of Press Preview on Sky News in June which saw 1,063 people voice concern over journalist Melanie Phillips comments about Muslims, while Amanda Holden’s daring dress on Britain’s Got Talent amassed 665 complaints.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: “To help us protect standards on television, we always assess every complaint we receive from viewers. In 2017 we have investigated 187 programmes, and found 97 of these in breach of our broadcasting rules.”

Top 10 Most Complained About TV Shows 2017

1. Good Morning Britain, ITV, September 5 – 1,142 complaints about interview with Dr Michael Davidson

2. Press Preview, Sky News, June 20 – 1,063 complaints about comments made by journalist Melanie Phillips

3. Britain’s Got Talent, ITV, June 1 – 665 complaints over Amanda Holden's dress

4. Coronation Street, ITV, October 27 – 541 complaints over violent scenes involving Pat Phelan

5. Comic Relief 2017, BBC 1, March 24 – 339 complaints about swearing and sexual innuendo involving Vic Reeves and Russell Brand

6. Emmerdale, ITV, March 6 – 275 complaints over prison scenes featuring violence and homophobic abuse towards Aaron Dingle

7. I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! ITV, December 7 – 243 complaints about alleged bullying towards Iain Lee

8. This Morning, ITV, November 13 – 181 complaints about interviewee's comments on transgender issues

9. Good Morning Britain, ITV, June 20 – 176 complaints about interview with English Defence League co-founder Tommy Robinson

10. Benidorm, ITV, May 3 – 137 complaints about comments made about a character with a cleft lip

The biggest and best TV shows of 2017

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