Was Comedy Awards 'shambles' a new low for Channel 4? TV bosses face backlash from viewers over expletive-laden broadcast

 

• Viewers call for annual event to be scrapped and call it worst in history
• Ofcom confirm they have received complaints, mainly about bad language
• Jonathan Ross turns on Channel 4 and calls them 'f****** idiots' after show
• Presenter forced to 'apologise' to Andrew Sachs in foul-mouthed sketch

By Martin Robinson

 

Criticism: Viewers have complained to Ofcom about the British Comedy Awards, hosted by Jonathan Ross, with some calling for it to be scrapped because of bad language

Channel 4 is under fire today after viewers called for the 'disastrous' British Comedy Awards to be scrapped because of persistent bad language and offensive jokes last night.
Ofcom has confirmed it has already received a number of complaints about the language used during the annual ceremony, which some have called the worst in its 23-year history.
Even the ceremony's host Jonathan Ross has turned on Channel 4, calling them 'f****** idiots' after they cut the end of the show.
The broadcaster cut away from Steve Coogan's acceptance speech, which led to Ross tweeting: 'Hope you enjoyed The Comedy Awards. Channel 4 are f****** idiots for cutting Steve Coogans speech off for a REPEAT of Goggle Box.'
The presenter himself has also caused offence after he used bad language on screen.
He was forced to ‘apologise’ to actor Andrew Sachs, following the infamous incident that led to him and Russell Brand being suspended by the BBC in 2008.
The left foul-mouthed messages on Fawlty Towers star's answerphone, which included lewd comments about his granddaughter
In a sketch Ross had a ventriloquist’s mask strapped to his face and award-winner Lee Mack spoke for him.

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After Mack forced him to say ‘Hello Andrew Sachs’, Ross said: ‘Oh f*** off’, before he was made to continue ‘I’m so sorry for being a c***. I’ve never had the confidence to say but I’ll say it now, what I did was bang out of order.
‘I would like to offer my resignation to ITV. Once again, Andrew Sachs, I’m sorry’.
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Bad joke: Jonathan Ross and Lee Mack in a sketch where the host was forced to apologise to Andrew Sachs using a series of expletives

Message: The host took to Twitter to show his disdain for Channel 4 after they cut the awards to show a repeat 

 

One outraged viewer said Ross 'was swearing through the whole programme. It was a disgrace’.
Others took to Twitter to complain, dismissing Ross’s performance as ‘drivel’.
The show was also marred by drunken scenes, with a clearly inebriated Alan Carr causing offence after telling singer Nicole Scherzinger he wanted to 'Sh-f*** your sh-brains out' on stage.
'I want to do a reverse Tom Daley', he said, referring to the diver's recent admission he is gay.
Johnny Vegas caused one of the outrageous moments by claiming some of the winners did not deserve their awards and slammed Ricky Gervais while paying tribute to Paul Whitehouse.
'There are people in the room we don't think should have won,' he told the audience.
'Paul's comedy, compared to other people (he then whispered 'The Office'), it doesn't make victims of anything'.

Controversial: Alan Carr (left) told Nicole Scherzinger he wanted to 'sh-f***' her when she collected an award

Passionate: The thrilled comedian also kissed the host on the lips and admitted he'd 'had a drink'

Slight: Johnny Vegas took a swipe at Ricky Gervais in his speech and said his comedy was based on poking fun at 'victims'

 

In addition to his honorary prize, Whitehouse also collected best sketch show award for Harry & Paul, which he and Harry Enfield last won in 2009.
He headed to the stage with a pal who made random hand gestures and pretended to be doing sign language for the deaf, in a reference to the fake signer at the Nelson Mandela memorial service.
Whitehouse also yelled 'Yid army' - a reference to his beloved Spurs - a phrase which has led to a series of arrests amid claims it incites racial hatred.
The show led to people on Twitter heavily criticising the show and Channel 4.

 

Viewer Debra Gutteres wrote: ‘Why when there are no jokes forthcoming do people just swear so much and then laugh? Is that supposed to be funny?’
Another Twitter poster, Andrew Wealls, said: ‘Thought it was dreadful. Isn’t it possible to be funny without saying f*** and c***?’
Jon Stannard ‏ wrote: 'Watched the "comedy" awards last night 'for a while'. One of the most boring, self indulgent, sad tv I've seen for years.

Mistake: Steve Coogan collects his award at the end of the show but his speech was cut short, which led to Jonathan Ross calling them 'f****** idiots'

Football fan: Paul Whitehouse yelled 'Yid army', a reference to his beloved Spurs, which has been banned amid concerns it incites racial hatred

Crocodile tears: At one point, Ron Burgundy had an faux emotional moment as he accepted his International Achievement award

Christian Smith ‏ said: 'Let's hope this is the last year of this we have to see the ComedyAwards, clever people resorting to the F-word every 2 mins!'
'@Channel4 british comedy awards ...............train wreck!', Gordon Armour ‏ tweeted.
MailOnline has asked Channel 4 for a comment but it has failed to respond.

2013 British Comedy Awards - The Winners

Outstanding Achievement Award - Steve Coogan

The Writers Guild of Great Britain Award - Paul Whitehouse

Best Comedy Panel Show - Would I Lie To You

Best Comedy Entertainment Programme - The Graham Norton Show

Best Sketch Show - Harry & Paul

Best Sitcom - Getting On

Best New Comedy Programme - Plebs

Best Comedy Entertainment Personality - Alan Carr (Alan Carr's Chatty Man)

Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist - Adam Hills (The Last Leg)

Best TV Comedy Actor - Jack Whitehall (Fresh Meat)

Best TV Comedy Actress - Miranda Hart (Miranda)

Best Female TV Comic - Nina Conti (Live At The Apollo)

Best Male TV Comic - Lee Mack (Would I Lie To You)

International Achievement Award - Will Ferrell

King of Comedy 2013 - Jack Whitehall