The year in television wasn't just about captivating storylines and memorable moments; it was also a year of intense viewer reaction, sparking thousands of complaints to broadcasting regulators. A single show dominated the discourse, becoming a focal point for concerns about how reality television portrays human interaction.
Leading the charge with a staggering 3,547 complaints,Love Islandfound itself at the center of controversy surrounding the treatment of contestant Shakira Khan. Viewers voiced strong objections, alleging that the show unfairly emphasized confrontational exchanges, painting a negative picture of her interactions with fellow Islanders Emily and Meg. The outcry suggested a perception of deliberate manipulation by producers.
The concerns didn’t end there. Just days later, another episode ofLove Island, this time focusing on the treatment of both Shakira and Megan Moore, garnered 2,509 complaints. Despite the controversy, the season was surprisingly lauded by many as “the best season ever,” highlighting a complex relationship between viewers and the drama unfolding on screen.
The pattern continued. A third instance of alleged bullying directed towards Shakira onLove Islandracked up 2,002 complaints. Alongside this, viewers also expressed dissatisfaction with Dejon Noel-Williams’ behavior towards Megan. Remarkably, despite accumulating over 14,000 complaints in total, regulators opted not to formally investigate the season.
Breaking theLove Islanddominance, fashion designer Karen Millen ignited a firestorm of criticism with controversial remarks on a talk show. Millen labeled a mother’s desire to breastfeed as “selfish,” prompting 1,866 complaints and a wave of condemnation on social media for what many deemed misleading and “disgraceful” statements.
A presenter’s deeply offensive comment on GB News triggered 1,391 complaints. Josh Howie appeared to suggest a link between the LGBTQ+ community and paedophilia, a statement that violated broadcasting standards and was deemed unjustified by the context. An additional 71,851 complaints, gathered by the Good Law Project, were also submitted to regulators.
Sky News also faced scrutiny, receiving 1,302 complaints regarding a segment on a vessel attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Viewers alleged that a presenter misrepresented the mission’s peaceful intentions, sparking accusations of biased reporting.
Returning to familiar territory,Love Islandonce again drew complaints – 1,296 to be exact – over the alleged bullying of Shakira. This episode also included concerns about the way Blu spoke to Toni during a heated argument between the two Islanders.
The spin-off series,Love Island: All Stars, wasn’t immune to the controversy, amassing 1,240 complaints related to alleged bullying between contestants. A particularly explosive argument between Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Elma Pazar, stemming from a kiss during a challenge, fueled the outrage.
In a surprising turn, actor Mickey Rourke’s behavior onCelebrity Big Brotherlanded the show in the top ten, with complaints stemming from his offensive language and actions. Rourke was ultimately removed from the show after making homophobic remarks and displaying threatening behavior. He later expressed remorse, acknowledging his “short fuse” and taking responsibility for his actions.
Rounding out the list, the Brit Awards received 938 complaints, primarily focused on Sabrina Carpenter’s performance and Charli XCX’s outfit. Carpenter playfully acknowledged the controversy on social media, quipping that she now understood what a “watershed” meant, demonstrating a lighthearted response to the public reaction.
