Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
OFCOM will not take action over Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh’s comments about the coronation being “terribly white”.
The broadcasting watchdog has confirmed today it received 8,371 complaints from viewers about the comments which were made during an ITV live broadcast on May 6.
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While Ofcom said it accepted viewers had “strong feelings” about her comments it ruled it was a “personal observation” which was part of a “wide-ranging panel discussion which also touched on other diversity-related topics, and which contained a range of viewpoints”.
The incident has become the most complained about TV moment of the year so far.
It later prompted an apology from the 60-year-old actress who plays Lady Danbury in the hit Netflix show.
The Bridgerton star was slammed online after making the comments about the royals at Buckingham Palace while she was commentating on ITV’s coverage of King Charles’ coronation.
During the coronation Adjoa had said: “We have gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to a terribly white balcony.
“I am very struck by that.
“I am also looking at those younger generations and thinking: ‘What are the nuances that they will inhabit when they grow?”
Andoh later appeared on BBC Radio 4 to clarify what she meant and apologise.
She said at the time: “I think I upset a few people yesterday.
“I was talking about the day and how marvellous it was and then looking at the balcony at the end and suddenly going: ‘Oh it’s so white!’ because the day had been so mixed and I didn’t mean to upset anybody.”
Today, an Ofcom spokesman said: “We have concluded our assessment of complaints we received about a comment made during ITV’s coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III, and can confirm we will not be pursuing these further.
“We received 8,371 complaints from viewers about a comment made by actress Adjoa Andoh during the live broadcast, which focused on the appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
‘Complainants also objected to references to the comment made by ITV News presenters Tom Bradby and Chris Ship.
“While we understand some viewers had strong feelings about this comment, after careful consideration we have concluded that the comment was a personal observation which was part of a wide-ranging panel discussion which also touched on other diversity-related topics, and which contained a range of viewpoints.
“Our decision to not pursue these complaints further also takes into account broadcasters’ and guests’ right to freedom of expression.”