Rowan Atkinson's Archbishop sketch is most-complained about TV moment in 2013

Susie Turner
Actor Rowan Atkinson (Photo: Eva Rinaldi)

Rowan Atkinson's sketch depicting a fictional Archbishop of Canterbury was the single most complained about TV moment in 2013, according to Ofcom figures.

The foul-mouthed parody aired during the BBC's Comic Relief: Funny for the Money and received 487 complaints.

Despite the number of complaints, Ofcom ruled that it had not breached broadcasting guidelines.

Channel 5's Big Brother was the TV show with the most complaints this year, at 965. It is the second year in a row that the reality show has topped Ofcom's complaints list.

Complaints around this year's show related to bullying, fighting and accusations of racism.

Big Brother was followed by The X Factor, with 734 complaints. Lady Gaga's performance in a skimpy shell costume attracted 317 complaints, while Robin Thicke's performance of "Blurred Lines" on the show generated 122 complaints. Ofcom decided both performances were within its rules.

Other programmes in the top 10 were Celebrity Big Brother, Britain's Got Talent, Emmerdale, BBC News, Downton Abbey and Coronation Street.

ITV News was in third place with 574 complaints relating to its coverage of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby and the use of graphic images pre-watershed.

The top 10 are:

1. Big Brother: 965 complaints

2. The X Factor: 734

3. ITV News: 574

4. Comic Relief: Funny for Money: 492

5. Celebrity Big Brother: 438

6. Britain's Got Talent: 422

7. Emmerdale: 376

8. BBC News: 354

9. Downton Abbey: 252

10. Coronation Street: 225

Source: Ofcom - data up to 12 December

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