CHRISTMAS TV is usually very family-friendly fare as schedules are packed with movies and special instalments of favourite formats.
But that doesn't mean there haven't been shows that have caused viewers to choke on their mince pies, as we take a look back at the lowlights.
Gavin and Stacey
The BBC landed in hot water after the highly-anticipated 2020 Christmas Special of Gavin and Stacey.
Fairytale of New York is one of the most popular track The Pogues ever made.
However 886 viewers complained after the festive instalment of the sitcom failed to censor the infamous homophobic slur that was included in the lyrics.
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In the episode Bryn and Nessa performed the strack in a karaoke session at The Dolphin which included the word, "f****t".
The BBC issued a lengthy statement in defence of the episode and also the track itself.
The publicly funded corporation commented: "'Fairytale of New York' is a well-established, much-loved Christmas song which tells the story of a troubled couple in 1940s New York.
"The descent of their relationship is reflected in the increasingly abusive and offensive terms they use to address each other; insults which are intended to reflect the language that such characters might have used in that era.
"The origin of the word includes a definition which describes it as a contemptuous and antiquated word for laziness, and the author of the song has cited this inference behind his inclusion of that line.
"While the word 'f*****,' is now widely acknowledged as having the potential to offend, the song never suggests or implies that this is, or was ever, an appropriate way to address another person, nor does it link it to homosexuality.
"Nessa and Bryn were seen singing the original lines and we can assure you there was no intention to offend viewers.
"We understand that some people will find it offensive in any context but we also recognise that the song is widely played and enjoyed in its original form."
They added: "Ofcom have previously stated that they feel it is 'unlikely that audiences would widely perceive [the song] as a serious attempt to denigrate the homosexual community'."
Channel 4’s alternative Christmas message
The commercial network was been hit with 347 complaints in 2021 over its alternative Christmas message.
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Channel 4 seemed to use computer trickery to make actress Debra Stephenson look exactly like Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The broadcast saw the digitally animated 'Deepfake Queen' dancing and joking about Megxit.
Viewers were utterly outraged by the five-minute fake address - that featured gags about Prince Andrew - which was screened after households watched the real Queen deliver her annual address.
The broadcaster's director of programmes Ian Katz called the show a "powerful reminder that we can no longer trust our own eyes".
However, Royal Expert Ingrid Seward from Majesty Magazine, fumed: "It is in really poor taste and didn't look that funny. There are a lot of people you can ridicule -but not the Queen.
"This kind of thing would never have happened ten years ago. Channel 4 are using the Queen to get some publicity."
Deepfake Iran President
Channel 4 also came under fire for a 'deepfake' address that depicted Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Despite industry regulator Ofcom receiving 295 complaints in 2009, the regulator ruled that alternative Christmas message was not in breach of broadcasting regulations.
Lasting seven minutes, it was preceded by a short film on the, "president’s controversial record," that was billed as an alternative to the then-Queen's annual speech.
Before that, previous addresses on Christmas Day came from the likes of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a 9/11 survivor and a British Muslim woman in a veil.
At the time, Ofcom ruled: "We acknowledged that this programme, taken in its entirety, would have been challenging and upsetting to a number of people.
“However, Ofcom must take into account the broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority.
"While President Ahmadinejad gave what was an unmediated address to camera, Ofcom noted that this was importantly preceded by a short report, summarising the controversial issues and events which have been connected to him and his presidency.
"The actual content of his address could be described as non-confrontational, comprising as it did, a message of good will to the UK audience."
Big Fat Quiz of the Year
In 2013 the Big Fat Quiz of the Year fell foul with TV viewers after jokes relating to The Queen.
The watchdog received 86 complaints relating to jokes made on the panel gameshow.
Although it was broadcast after the watershed at 9pm, both Jack Whitehall and James Corden were slammed by the audience at home for quips made about the royal family, athlete Usain Bolt and Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle.
At the time, Jack joked about the Diamond Jubilee that took place the year before.
He joked: "I have a theory. She [the Queen] didn't sit down for the entirety of that thing, and people were talking about that.
"It was the day after the night of her anniversary and Prince Philip woke up with a urinary infection ... I'm just saying what everyone's thinking, people."
The complaints rose followed by intense media coverage after 160 people wrote to the regulator two days after.
A spokesperson from Channel 4 commented: "Big Fat Quiz of The Year is a well established comedic and satirical review of the year's events with well-known guests and was broadcast after the watershed with appropriate warnings."
Gary Neville
Gary Neville launched an outburst before the World Cup final when he slammed the "abhorrent" conditions in Qatar.
He also slammed the government as he accused ministers from the UK of "demonising" both nurses and rail workers as he claimed that healthcare workers were paid a "pittance".
Regulator Ofcom confirmed it was not going to pursue action after ITV viewers slammed the commentator for his comments in 2022.
After 705 complaints from fans, Ofcom said they had "given guidance to ITV reminding them of their due impartiality obligations."
They added: "ITV has assured us that presenters and studio guests will be reminded of these rules."
At the time ITV commented: "Gary Neville was expressing his own personal views in the context of a discussion about treatment of workers in Qatar within a live broadcast. His views are his own and were not endorsed by ITV."
