Entertainment
Joe Lycett invites critics to complain to Ofcom after Big Pride Party content warnings spark backlash-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro
Viewers weren’t happy at all.
Joe Lycett has invited fans to complain to TV watchdog Ofcom after his Big Pride Party special on Channel 4 was marred by ‘offensive’ content warnings throughout.
The TV special, hosted by Lycett, 33, alongside guests that included Mawaan Rizwan and Rosie Jones, celebrated 50 years of Pride with a string of guest interviews, performances, and fans even spotted a drag queen sniffing poppers in the audience.
But viewers were left baffled by the sheer amount of content warnings broadcast by Channel 4 during the show’s numerous commercial breaks.
The TV special was broadcast after the watershed cut-off, beginning the celebratory festivities at 9pm before finishing up at 11pm.
Earlier this morning, Joe posted an Ofcom link to Twitter, accompanied by the #BigPrideParty hashtag.
Clicking on the link takes viewers to the Broadcast Complaints page on Ofcom’s website, indicating that the stand-up comic is unhappy with how his TV special was handled.
Fans watching the show were also quick to share their thoughts about Channel 4’s decision, and many of them criticised the broadcaster.
One user said: ‘There definitely aren’t this many ‘content warnings’ during [heterosexual] programming. So much progress still to be made and attitudes still to be changed.’
Another user argued that people who were mostly likely to find the content of the programme to be offensive would probably be avoiding it altogether.
Joe has been no stranger to light-hearted controversy on social media (Picture: Matt Crockett)‘Hey Channel 4, it’s not “offensive language” – it’s language some people may find offensive – but are highly likely NOT to be watching Big Pride Party’.
Some viewers did find some humour in the situation, but still made it clear that Channel 4 arguably went over the top when warning viewers about the show.
‘Channel 4 lawyers making the continuity announcer do the strongest warnings after EVERY ad break is so funny’.
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For the show, Lycett brought together a list of stars and icons from the LGBTQ+ community to showcase their talent and share their stories.
Musical performances were provided by Self-Esteem and Steps, while Culture Club singer Boy George also made an appearance.
Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes also featured after she came out as gay at the age of 52 last month.
Joe Lycett’s Pride Party is available to stream on All 4.
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Metro.co.uk celebrates 50 years of Pride
This year marks 50 years of Pride, so it seems only fitting that Metro.co.uk goes above and beyond in our ongoing LGBTQ+ support, through a wealth of content that not only celebrates all things Pride, but also share stories, take time to reflect and raises awareness for the community this Pride Month.
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During Pride Month, which runs from 1 – 30 June, Metro.co.uk will also be supporting Kyiv Pride, a Ukrainian charity forced to work harder than ever to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community during times of conflict, and youth homelessness charity AKT. To find out more about their work, and what you can do to support them, click here.
For Metro.co.uk‘s latest Pride coverage, click here.
