Lorraine Kelly has been cleared by media watchdog Ofcom after more than 400 viewers complained she had ‘body-shamed’ Nigel Farage.
The outspoken broadcaster, 64, claimed she was ‘traumatised’ after seeing the GB News star showering during his stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
Lorraine took issue with Nigel’s appearance, claiming she was ‘surprised’ when she discovered ‘he’s only 59’ and said he ‘got the face he deserved’.
After being told Nigel was 59, she added: ‘Is he?! Is he only 59? I thought he was a lot older than that. That’s amazing, that shows you’re getting the face you deserve. You really do.”
The comments on the morning chat show on November 21 led to a total of 428 complaints to Ofcom.
Lorraine Kelly has been cleared by media watchdog Ofcom after more than 400 viewers complained she had ‘body-shamed’ Nigel Farage
The outspoken broadcaster claimed she was ‘traumatised’ after seeing the GB News star showering during his stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
Former UKIP leader Farage’s social media team also called on the Scottish broadcaster to apologise.
A message on his official Twitter account read: ‘Has Lorraine apologized for body shaming Nigel Farage yet? Imagine if he made those comments about her live on television.’
Many of Lorraine’s viewers felt that she would not make the same comments about a woman.
One posted: ‘I’m not a fan of Nigel but Lorraine, that comment was below the belt. You would never say that about a woman.’
Another said: ‘I can’t stand all these men hating Lorraine. The same thing happened to Matt Hancock.”
Ofcom reviewed the comments but has now said they did not raise any issues that warranted an official investigation under the Broadcasting Code.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: ‘We have considered complaints from viewers who objected to comments about Nigel Farage’s physical appearance.
“We believe the brief conversation between the presenter and a reporter was part of a light-hearted discussion about jungle life, and within the audience’s expectations for this program.”
The comments on the morning chat show on November 21 led to a total of 428 complaints to Ofcom
Every time Ofcom receives a complaint from a viewer or listener, they assess it against the Broadcasting Code to see if further investigation is required.
The Code sets standards for television and radio programs and broadcasters must follow these rules.
Farage’s team sent a legal letter to ITV bosses for showing him naked in the I’m A Celebrity jungle shower, claiming there was an ‘indecency’ clause in his contract banning the channel from showing footage of to show him naked.
After his buttocks were seen by millions of viewers, his lawyer claimed the agreement had been broken.
Three days later, more scenes were shown of the Brexit Party founder – who was paid £1.5 million to take part in the show – showing him naked in the bath.
ITV confirmed it had received the complaint but insisted there was nothing in Farage’s contract that prevents them from showing him naked.