Over 150 complaints were made to the media watchdog with viewers particularly offended over penis gag
Media regulator Ofcom is considering whether to launch an investigation after it was inundated with complaints about Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day telethon.
Furious viewers took to social media over the BBC coverage on Friday disgusted at immature and offensive penis gags before the watershed as well as swearing and technical problems throughout.
So angry were 151 that they complained to media watchdog Ofcom.
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed the complaints adding: “We will assess these complaints before deciding whether or not to investigate.”
Viewers took to social media to pan the show which wheeled out a line-up of comedians from Lenny Henry and Graham Norton to Jonathan Ross and French & Saunders.
Sound issues particularly at the start of the show meant viewers struggled to hear them speak over the top of noise coming from the celebrity green room and audience – leading to a demented Lenny Henry screaming at them to be quiet.
Further hitches early on came as video clips refused to play and autocues seemed to confuse the presenters.
But it was when Vic Reeves brandished a fake penis at Susanna Reid (see below) as part of a innuendo laded gag in reference to the movie ‘Kong’ before the 9pm watershed that seemed to upset most and led in the complaints to Ofcom.
Steve Coogan also attracted complaints for his language in a section of the show known as Innuendo Bingo and Russell Brand was criticised for saying "f***ing hell" live on air after yet another technical glitch saw the broadcast temporarily fall off air later on.
Despite the controversy the show was the most successful yet raising over £73 million.
An average of 6.2 million viewers tuned in to watch with a peak of 7.6 million people.
A BBC spokesperson said: "There was a minor technical issue that meant the show was off-air for a minute, but quickly restored."
He added: "The Red Nose Day 2017 broadcast was a live studio environment enjoyed by a peak audience of 7.6 million which raised over £73 million.
"This will go a huge way to help improve the lives of many people both here in the UK and in some of the world's poorest countries."
