Laurence Fox’s Misogynistic Rant On ‘Dan Wootton Tonight’ Tops Ofcom Complaints List 2023

Max Goldbart
·6 min read
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Laurence Fox’s highly misogynistic rant on Dan Wootton Tonight, which led to the actor and politician’s firing from GB News, was Ofcom’s most-complained-about TV show of the year in 2023.

The episode in September, in which Fox ranted about journalist Ava Evans – saying no “self-respecting man would climb into bed with her” – narrowly beat complaints around Bridgerton star Adjoah Andoh’s comments during King Charles III’s Coronation to the top spot of the regulator’s annual list.

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Fox was fired from GB News following the rant, which generated nationwide headlines and amassed a total of 8,867 complaints, ahead of Andoh by around 200.

Ofcom investigated almost immediately due to the severity of the breach and it is one of a dozen GB News shows that have been or are being probed by the regulator this year, with five already found to be in breach. Fox, who regularly featured on GB News and also hosted a show on the network, was arrested in the same week on suspicion of conspiring to commit to damage a Ulez camera in London.

Andoh, meanwhile, said: “We’ve gone from the rich diversity of the [Westminster] Abbey to a terribly white balcony,” during ITV’s live Coronation broadcast, with viewers complaining that the comment was offensive and amounted to racial discrimination. Taking into account freedom of expression, Ofcom didn’t investigate but the incident nevertheless amassed thousands of complaints.

Ofcom said it received twice as many complaints in 2023 as 2022, with 69,236 over 9,638 cases, finding 35 programs in breach.

Elsewhere on the list, Good Morning Britain on ITV came in third with 2,391 complaints over the questioning of MP Layla Moran, who has family in Gaza, regarding Israel-Hamas. Ofcom said one-in-10 complaints related to coverage of the war, which has been going on for more than two months.

Love Island, which tends to be a big complaints generator, was 10th on the list due to an episode relating to bullying, while Channel 4’s Naked Education secured eighth spot because of “pre-watershed nudity.”

Last year’s list was dominated by complaints both for and against Matt Hancock, who had recently appeared on I’m a Celebrity .. Get me Out of Here!.

The full list:

  1. Dan Wootton Tonight, GB News, 26 September 2023 – 8,867 complaints – Viewers objected to the misogynistic comments made by Laurence Fox about journalist Ava Evans. Ofcom’s investigation of this programme under our rules on offence is ongoing.

  2. King Charles III: The Coronation, ITV1, 6 May 2023 – 8,421 complaints – The majority of complaints related to a comment made by actress Adjoa Andoh during the live broadcast, which focused on the appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. While we understand some viewers had strong feelings about this comment, after careful consideration we concluded that the comment was a personal observation which was part of a wide-ranging panel discussion which also touched on other diversity-related topics, and which contained a range of viewpoints. Our decision to not pursue these complaints further also took into account the right to freedom of expression.

  3. Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 17 October 2023 – 2,391 complaints – We carefully assessed complaints about the presenter’s line of questioning towards MP Layla Moran. We considered his live, unscripted remarks were potentially offensive. However, taking the entire interview into account, and in particular a preceding discussion about Hamas using civilians as human shields, we considered the question sought to explore whether civilians were aware of a potential escalation in hostilities, rather than suggesting that Ms Moran or her family were aware of specific plans for the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. In her response, Ms Moran spoke about her surprise at the scale and sophistication of the attack. In light of this, we will not be pursuing further.

  4. Jeremy Vine, Channel 5, 13 March 2023 – 2,302 complaints – We carefully considered complaints from viewers about a discussion on the junior doctors’ pay dispute. While we recognise that some references about progression timelines and corresponding pay-scales were not strictly accurate, we do not consider that the errors were sufficient to have materially misled viewers so as to cause harm.

  5. Breakfast with Kay Burley, Sky News, 23 November 2023 – 1,880 complaints – We carefully considered complaints about the presenter’s line of questioning during an interview with Israeli spokesperson, Eylon Levy.Taking account of Mr Levy’s forceful challenge to the premise of the question about the value of Israeli versus Palestinian lives, and the context of the wider discussion about the terms of the temporary ceasefire, we will not be pursuing further.

  6. Lee Anderson’s Real World, GB News, 29 September 2023 – 1,697 complaints – Complaints related to Lee Anderson’s interview with Suella Braverman, on the grounds that they are both Conservative MPs.We published our assessment of this programme which found that it included an appropriately wide range of significant views on immigration and border control which were given due weight.

  7. Breakfast with Kay Burley, Sky News, 10 October 2023 – 1,640 complaints – Complainants alleged Kay Burley misrepresented comments made by the Palestinian ambassador.We are assessing the complaints, before we decide whether or not to investigate.

  8. Naked Education, Channel 4, 4 April 2023 – 1,285 complaints – We understand that some viewers were concerned about this programme, which included pre-watershed nudity.In our view, the programme had a clear educational focus, and the young participants reflected positively on their involvement. We also took into account that there were warnings to the audience before the programme aired.Channel 4 also provided information to Ofcom about the protections it had in place for the welfare and dignity of participants aged under 18.

  9. This Morning, ITV, 18 December 2023, 1,092 complaints – Complaints related to comments made by Vanessa Feltz about coeliac disease. We are assessing the complaints, before we decide whether or not to investigate.

  10. Love Island, ITV2, 9 July 2023 – 992 complaints – The majority of complaints about this episode related to bullying against Scott. We carefully assessed complaints about this series on a range of issues including alleged bullying, homophobia and racism. We recognise that emotionally charged or confrontational scenes can upset some viewers. But, in our view, negative behaviour in the villa was not shown in a positive light. We also took into account that the format of this reality show is well-established and viewers would expect to see highs and lows as couples’ relationships are tested. Viewers also complained about a contestant being voted off and returning to the programme, but this was an editorial decision for the broadcaster.

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