Ofcom reveals the UK’s most complained-about TV shows of 2025
- Love Ballymena
- 36 minutes ago
- 3 min read
UK television audiences continued to make their voices heard in 2025, with Ofcom receiving almost 50,000 complaints about broadcast and on-demand content over the course of the year, according to newly published figures from the media regulator.
The complaints related to more than 8,000 television, radio and on-demand programmes, a level of engagement which Ofcom said demonstrates how strongly viewers and listeners feel about the standards of the content they consume.
“Every single complaint matters,” Ofcom said, adding that each submission is carefully reviewed to ensure broadcasters are held to the same high standards expected by UK audiences.
The regulator also confirmed that the figures do not include complaints about BBC programmes, which are handled separately by the corporation under the BBC Charter through its own complaints procedure, known as the BBC first process.
Complaints fall overall, but reality TV remains under scrutiny
Ofcom said overall complaint numbers fell compared with 2024. While fewer investigations were opened and closed during the year, the figures were described as consistent with levels recorded in 2021.
Despite the overall decline, certain genres continued to attract significant attention. Reality television featured prominently, accounting for more than half of the ten most complained-about programmes of 2025.
Ofcom revealed that around three in ten complaints received during the year related to a single reality TV series, with its 2025 run generating 14,121 complaints in total. Many of the complaints focused on allegations of bullying behaviour, highlighting ongoing public concern around participant welfare and conduct in unscripted programming.
Broadcast standards and regulation in 2025
Alongside the complaints data, Ofcom outlined a number of key regulatory developments during the year.
Updated guidance was issued to broadcasters on the role of politicians presenting news, following a public consultation.
Ofcom also investigated a BBC documentary on Gaza, finding that it breached the Broadcasting Code and directing the BBC to broadcast a statement setting out its findings.
The regulator also clarified its approach to older films and programmes broadcast on television, providing greater clarity for audiences about how historic content is treated on modern platforms.
In November, Ofcom launched a wider review of broadcast regulation, reflecting changes in viewing habits and the growth of on-demand services. A consultation is planned next year on a new video-on-demand code, which would see similar rules governing broadcast TV and radio extended to certain on-demand platforms.
These services would also be subject to new accessibility requirements, such as subtitling, aimed at ensuring content is accessible to more people.
The ten most complained-about programmes of 2025
Ofcom’s figures show that the programmes attracting the highest number of complaints spanned reality television, news output and major live entertainment events:
Love Island, ITV2, 24 July 2025 – 3,547 complaints
Complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira.
Love Island, ITV2, 22 July 2025 – 2,509 complaints
The majority of complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira. A small number were about Megan returning to the villa.
Love Island, ITV2, 23 July 2025 – 2,002 complaints
The majority of complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira. A small number were about Megan returning to the villa.
Vanessa, 5, 10 June 2025 – 1,866 complaints
Complainants related to a discussion on breastfeeding and its benefits, which some felt was misleading.
Headliners, GB News, 22 January 2025 – 1,391 complaints
Complainants objected to a presenter’s comment they believed linked the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles. Our investigation found the live programme broke broadcasting rules by including a highly offensive remark which was not justified by the context, falling short of generally accepted standards. In addition to these complaints submitted directly by individuals to Ofcom, the Good Law Project gathered 71,851 complaints and provided them to Ofcom.
Today with Samantha Washington, Sky News, 7 June 2025 – 1,302 complaints
Complaints related to a section of the programme on the Madleen, a vessel trying to deliver aid to Gaza. Complainants alleged that a comment by the presenter misrepresented the mission’s peaceful nature.
Love Island, ITV2, 25 July 2025 – 1,296 complaints
The majority of complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira. Complaints were also received about the way Blu spoke to Toni.
Love Island: All Stars, ITV2, 12 February 2025 – 1,240 complaints
Complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour between participants.
Celebrity Big Brother, ITV2, 9 April 2025 – 1,008 complaints
Complaints related to comments made by Mickey Rourke to JoJo Siwa.
The Brit Awards 2025, ITV1, 1 March 2025 – 938 complaints
Complaints related to Sabrina Carpenter’s opening dance routine, and to Charli XCX’s outfit.
Viewers continue to hold broadcasters to account
Ofcom said the diversity of complaints shows that audiences continue to expect high standards across all genres, from reality TV and news coverage to live entertainment.
As the regulator moves towards updating its rules to reflect how audiences now watch and listen to content, it said protecting viewers and listeners remains central to its work.