BBC may face Red Nose Day Ofcom inquiry

The television regulator Ofcom is considering whether to launch an investigation into the BBC’s Red Nose Day telethon after the fundraiser prompted more than 150 complaints.

Several moments on the show – including when Vic Reeves flashed a fake penis at Susanna Reid before the 9pm watershed and when host Russell Brand responded to a technical glitch by saying “f---ing hell” live on air – generated controversy. Ofcom said that most of the complaints it received related to content rather than technical issues. A spokesman said it had received 151 complaints and would assess them before deciding whether to investigate.