Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway receives 111 complaints to Ofcom over new parent prank
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway has received 111 complaints to broadcasting regulator Ofcom over a “bad” prank on a new parent.
The show, headlined by British TV legends Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, saw serial prankster Liam prank his wife Amy by having a fake baby scan, antenatal class and after the birth of their son Finley, a session of fake baby photos.
But on Saturday, his banter segment wasn’t received as well as it usually is, with fans calling him ‘range’ and making them feel ‘uncomfortable’.
In the scan scene, a video played of a baby that wasn’t Liam and Amy’s, making rock star signs when the song Bohemian Rhapsody was played and also waving.
The bizarre sketch also saw the boy play hide and seek, leaving Liam in awe.
Backlash: Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway has received 111 complaints to broadcast regulator Ofcom over a cruel prank on a new parent
Prank: Liam, a serial prankster, received a prank from his wife Amy in collaboration with the hosting duo in the first episode of the new series.
Watching: Amy enlisted the help of Ant and Dec to get back at Liam for pulling pranks on her, and the couple had a fake baby scan, antenatal class, and also a fake family photo shoot after their son Finley was born.
Ofcom have confirmed to MailOnline that they received 111 complaints following the broadcast of the episode live on Saturday night.
Their statement read: ‘Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, ITV1, 25 February 2023 (111 complaints).
‘Complaints related to the series of pranks played on a husband during his wife’s pregnancy’.
However, some fans of the show revealed that the joke left a bad taste in their mouths and took to Twitter to say that the sketch was neither appropriate nor appreciated.
One person wrote: ‘No, I’m sorry the #SaturdayNightTakeaway parody of the parents in the scan is a bit off-putting.
‘As someone trying for a baby for 13 years, my absolute dream is to be in a scanner. You don’t have more important personal experiences like that in life.
‘Not well. Even if you are a “joker”.
Another added: “I love Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, but the baby scan joke was off.”
A third said: “Tacky to wear on Saturday night to prank a baby scanner.”
And another person wrote: “Strongly agree… disgusted” in response to another unimpressed tweet about the skit.
Meanwhile, someone else said: ‘The photo shoot is kind of fun, that can always be redone. But that 4D scan that got messed up makes me very uncomfortable.
“Especially knowing how easy it is for things to go wrong during a pregnancy.”
Recovering: In the scan scene, video played of a non-Liam and Amy baby making rock star signs as Bohemian Rhapsody played.
Unusual: The bizarre sketch also saw the boy play hide and seek, leaving Liam in awe
Not happy: However, some fans of the show were irritated by the joke and took to Twitter to say that the sketch was not appropriate or appreciated.
But not everyone was irritated by the joke, with some viewers taking to Twitter to reveal that they thought it was funny.
One person said: ‘People were offended by the joke, now people are complaining about the balloons… omg shut up and enjoy!
‘Why do people have to suck the life out of everything? It’s boring.’
Another wrote: ‘Shut up all you snowflakes complaining about the ant prank and dec. It’s called having a laugh you’re not allowed to do right now, if you’re not happy just turn it off.
A third added: “He literally found it funny,” in response to a frustrated tweet about the skit.
And a separate person said: “Just be happy for the couple and the beautiful baby.” We all go through shit.
So don’t be bitter about everything.
At the end of the prank segment, Ant and Dec revealed to Amy and Liam that they had set up a children’s savings account for Finley and were putting in £1,000 per year until he turned 18.
Funny: But not everyone was irritated by the joke, with some viewers taking to Twitter to reveal that they thought it was funny
Sinister: Alison Hammond, who joked in a previous series that Ant and Dec couldn’t pull a prank on her, ate her words after she was left terrified by an undercover hotel spoof
Just before the surprise was revealed, Jordan North drove Liam and Amy to the studio in a golf cart, telling them that he had made seven attempts to pass the driving test.
And in truly chaotic style, he crashed the buggy onto the pavement, finally managing to get them safely to the studio.
The long-awaited return of the entertainment show also saw Doctor Who legend David Tennant as announcer for each guest.
And Alison Hammond, who joked in a previous series that Ant and Dec couldn’t pull a prank on her, ate her words after a hotel skit left her terrified.
The duo orchestrated the hilarious scheme that saw Alison certain she was in a haunted hotel.
As she entered a bedroom, she screamed as events turned sinister and the cheeky couple presenting her came to surprise her.
Elsewhere, Ant and Dec went head-to-head in an outdoor balloon challenge hosted by Stephen Mulhern.
And during the happiest minute of the week, viewers wept to see countless people win ‘A Place On The Plane’ for the series finale at Universal Orlando.
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway continues Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.