Ofcom refuses to probe Amanda’s BGT dress – because it’s what viewers expect!
With its plunging neckline and buttock-skimming cutout, it was the dress that sparked more than 650 complaints from viewers of Britain’s Got talent.
After judge Amanda holden appeared on the family show in the risque £11,000 gown, fans claimed she was ‘effectively topless’ and likened the outfit to that of the stripper.
it came a few days after the 46-yearold mother of two had joked: ‘Will people be complaining to Ofcom? i hope so, i really do. i haven’t done my job if they aren’t!
But yesterday the television watchdog said it would not be investigating her controversial wardrobe choice – claiming it is what viewers have come to expect from family television.
Ofcom said the dress, by designer Julien MacDonald, would ‘not have exceeded most viewers’ expectations’ and was ‘appropriate’ to be seen before the 9pm watershed.
the decision comes in spite of BGt host Ant McPartlin remarking during the June 1 semi-final: ‘Look at what Amanda’s wearing – what Amanda isn’t wearing!’ Some 656 people went on to complain to the watchdog about the episode, which aired from 7.30pm during the school half-term and was watched by nearly five million. Ofcom said: ‘We carefully assessed complaints that dresses worn by judges were inappropriate for a pre-watershed audience.
‘We recognise that the dresses had potential to offend some viewers during what is a family show.
‘however, while some outfits were revealing, we considered it was appropriately scheduled and would not have exceeded most viewers’ expectations.’
But yesterday MPs called for stricter policing of the watershed, insisting it should shield children from sexualised content. Labour’s helen Goodman said: ‘What’s suitable for children and what’s suitable for adults is different. Parents need to be able to rely on the watershed.’