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ITV faces a huge backlash after thousands of viewers protested about lewd performances on the X Factor final.
Critics called on media regulator Ofcom to launch an inquiry into why ‘disgusting’ routines were shown before the watershed.
The performances by American singer Christina Aguilera and Bajan star Rihanna could have broken Ofcom’s broadcasting code which seeks to protect children from sexualised content.
Horrified parents – who watched the show with their sons and daughters – also accused ITV of breaking the bond of trust with viewers by failing to tone down the performances for younger fans.
By last night ITV had received about 1,500 complaints about the routines with Ofcom understood to have received a further 2,750-plus.
The media regulator is assessing the points made before deciding whether to launch a full-scale investigation into whether the raunchy material was ‘editorially justified’.
Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code states that ‘children must be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them’.
It adds: ‘Material that is unsuitable for children should not, in general, be shown before 9pm or after 5.30am.’
The ITV show aired between 7pm and 9pm on Saturday night.
The code also states that: ‘Any discussion on, or portrayal of, sexual behaviour must be editorially justified if included before the watershed.’
Simulated sexual moves, ‘porn imagery’ and provocative costumes stunned many who had expecting a more sober final weekend on the show.
During her Saturday night performance of What’s My Name, Rihanna shed her gown and cavorted around the stage in underwear, performing a series of suggestive dance moves.
She was surrounded by an army of dancers who performed in a similar way. This was then followed by Miss Aguilera’s performance which saw her in an extremely low-cut black dress writhing around the stage with her troupe of scantily-clad dancers.
They were seen sitting in chairs striking suggestive poses in nothing more than stockings, knickers and bras.
Parents are dismayed that the UK’s biggest family TV show resorted to such lurid tactics when it was already guaranteed to get massive ratings
They accuse it of providing a ‘sad’ and ‘terrible’ role model for children with what they called ‘soft porn’ routines.
Others claimed it would effectively encourage sexism in young boys and encourage young girls to dress inappropriately.
There were further complaints that boyband member Harry Styles was seen mouthing an obscene quip at winner Matt Cardle after Sunday night’s result was revealed.
The TV pressure group Mediawatch UK said it too had received complaints from the public about Saturday night’s final.
Source: Daily Mail
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