UK media regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into ITV’s coverage of King Charles III’s coronation. disqualified after receiving a record number of complaints about comments from Bridgerton Star Adjoa Andoh.
Ofcom received 8,372 messages from angry viewers after Andoh accused the royal family of being “awfully white” as they stepped onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace for King Charles’ coronation last month.
“We have moved away from the rich diversity of [Westminster] Abbey to a hideously white balcony. I’m very impressed by that,” she told ITV presenters Julie Etchingham and Tom Bradby.
In what is arguably the most lamented moment on British television this year, viewers said they found the comments offensive and said they amounted to racial discrimination.
However, Ofcom has ruled that no further action is necessary as the regulator continues to stress the importance of freedom of expression on British television.
Reflecting on her comments the day after the coronation, Andoh told BBC Radio 4 that she had no intention of offending viewers.
“I think I upset some people yesterday,” she said. “I was talking about the day and how wonderful it was, I ended up looking out onto the balcony and all of a sudden I was like, ‘Oh that’s so white’ because the day had been so mixed and I didn’t want to offend anyone.”
Andoh plays Lady Danbury Bridgerton and also appears in the prequel series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
“Naked Education” on Channel 4
channel 4
Regardless, Ofcom ruled out an investigation into Channel 4 Naked education after receiving 1,412 complaints from viewers concerned that the show was flaunting nude adults in front of young teenagers.
Hosted by Anna Richardson, the show featured frontal nudity in front of the 9pm watershed, a threshold in the UK that protects young viewers from potentially harmful content.
said Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer Naked educationThe goal of countering the fear of body image is “a valuable public service broadcast”.