ITV's hit reality dating show Love Island has been crowned the UK's most complained-about television programme of 2025, according to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom.
Thousands of Complaints Over Villa Treatment
The controversy centred on the treatment of contestant Shakira Khan, with viewers alleging she faced bullying from other female islanders. This led the show to occupy all three top spots in Ofcom's complaints chart for episodes broadcast on consecutive days in July.
The peak came on 24 July, when a single episode generated a staggering 3,547 complaints. The two preceding episodes each attracted over 2,000 complaints.
Viewers expressed concern as Khan was frequently shown isolated, subjected to jibes and eye-rolls, and breaking down in tears. Tensions escalated when she ended a relationship with one islander, Conor, to pursue another, Harry. Producers further amplified the drama by airing scenes of Khan and another contestant criticising two other women, raising additional concerns about her mental wellbeing.
Ofcom's Decision Not to Investigate
Despite the volume of protests, Ofcom ultimately decided not to launch a formal investigation. The regulator stated that the negativity directed at Khan was not celebrated by the programme.
It added that audiences of Love Island – and reality television in general – had come to expect the types of confrontational scenes that prompted the complaints. Other grievances included a contestant being allowed to re-enter the villa after being evicted, a move ITV's rules permit.
ITV has stated that all participants receive training before entering the villa, which includes guidance on avoiding "behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour".
Other Programmes in the Complaints Spotlight
The annual complaints list featured other notable entries. In fourth place was a Channel 5 show presented by Vanessa Feltz, where fashion designer Karen Millen described mothers who breastfeed beyond six months as "selfish". Ofcom ruled the comments did not breach its rules.
Rounding out the top five was a GB News segment from January, where presenter Josh Howie made a comment linking the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles, later claiming it was a joke. Ofcom found this broke broadcasting rules, calling it a "highly offensive remark". Separately, GB News apologised this week after a guest falsely claimed Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, had been in prison.
The annual list underscores the fine line broadcasters walk with provocative content, even as regulators acknowledge shifting audience expectations for popular reality formats.
