Scores of viewers have expressed outrage after witnessing actors demonstrating sex positions live on ITV’s flagship daytime television show, This Morning.
Members of the public have flooded internet message boards and complained to media groups saying the explicit sex topics were “inappropriate” for a morning show.
Shock
This Morning, traditionally famous for cookery and fashion features, shocked viewers when they were confronted with two young actors simulating sex, under the guidance of ‘relationship expert’ Tracey Cox, live on air as part of the show’s ‘sex week’.
Executive producer Karl Newton said: “We decided after the success of our love week earlier this year to turn up the heat and launch a special sex week.”
Indecent
He told a newspaper that “no area is off limit” during ‘sex week’.
A description on the ITV website says: “This week is sex week and we are determined to spice up your love life!
“From orgasms to sex toys and sex addicts to sex problems – we have all the solutions with our expert and real life guests.”
Outrage
Vivienne Pattison, director of MediaWatch UK, which campaigns for responsible broadcasting, said: “I’ve had people ringing in to complain about this and they are right to do so.
“Lots of people were offended. This was broadcast well before the watershed and when young children are likely to be watching. It is not appropriate. ITV have crossed a line here.”
One “very disappointed” viewer said the programme was “unbelievable”.
She warned that “any mother and child at home would have to turn their TV off or switch over”.
Responsibility
Another said: “The media has a responsibility to make sure they do not show the wrong programme at the wrong time – there is a watershed for a reason – to protect the innocent and vulnerable.”
A complaint was sent to ITV by one woman who asked the broadcaster: “When will you stop and take account of what has been televised and the possible damage you could be doing to society”?
Philip Schofield, one of the show’s presenters, wrote on his Twitter webpage: “I am loving the ‘outrage’ at This Morning’s sex week. It was all perfectly decent and you got two warnings.”
And he warned that future shows in the week would cover sex toys, sexual taboos and infidelity.