I'm A Celebrity slapped with Ofcom complaints over Sam Thompson bullying

14 December 2023 , 12:21

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I'm A Celebrity slapped with Ofcom complaints over Sam Thompson bullying

Fans of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here were left so furious over a comment made by Fred Sirieix to Sam Thompson that they complained to TV regulator Ofcom.

Viewers felt the First Dates star, 51, belittled Sam by telling him to "play with his toys" when discussing who should take part in one of the trials in the December 5 episode of the ITV show. Fred was desperate to do the trial which took place just hours before he was eliminated. Fans felt that he was being "rude" and "disrespectful" and it has now emerged that nearly 60 people complained to Ofcom after the episode aired, over concerns that it was a sign of bullying.

Viewers felt Sam Thompson was belittled by Fred Sirieix (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

As JLS star Marvin had not taken part in a trial at that point, he wasted no time in putting himself forward. But so too did Sam, Fred, Tony Bellew and Nick Pickard, who offered to accompany him. At the time Tony said: "I'm easy, whatever it takes, I'm up for it, I don't mind. And Nick said: "I'm also very happy to take one for the team. No problem at all."

But then Fred jumped in to put himself forward, while Sam also eagerly put himself up for the trial. And it was at this point Fred told Sam: "Don't worry, I'm going. You can carry on playing with your toys, we'll do the men's stuff. I'm going with Marvin, I've already decided.You go tomorrow! I think the decision has been made. I think you're all happy."

Realising that Fred was being far too dominant, Josie reminded him that a voted needed to be made and Tony agreed saying: "Let everyone decide Fred, chill." Speaking in the Bush Telegraph Fred said: "It was quite clear to me they didn't want to partake in this trial. In fact, Sam is more interested to play with his toys in the camp today."

TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filming

Nearly 60 people complained to Ofcom over Fred's patronising comment to Sam (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

But his forceful nature was noticed by a number of his campmates including Nick, who said: "He likes putting himself forward." Danielle Harold added: "He's very forceful once he's decided." And fans were not happy. One person took to X, also known as Twitter and wrote: "Fred belittling Sam 'play with your toys!' completely unnecessary imo - he really is horrid isn't he?"

Another person said: "Fred has some audacity to tell Sam to play with his toys when he was having a mental breakdown over Josie cooking rice and beans?" And a third person penned: "Fred needs to leave Sam alone, he's an absolute diamond and needs to be protected at all costs, he doesn't need to be spoken to like that from Fred."

Meanwhile a fourth wrote: "Fred is so rude and condescending towards Sam he needs to leave asap." New weekly figures released by Ofcom revealed that 59 viewers complained about the episode, with 27 comments relating to the exchange.

And in the final week of the show Ofcom also received a further 58 complaints about December 6's episode, while 60 viewers expressed concern about the final. Many of the complaints centered around the treatment of cockroaches, snakes and scorpions that were in the Bushtucker trials. Earlier this week, pictures emerged of winner Sam arriving back in the UK as he reunited with his girlfriend Strictly Come Dancing star, Zara McDermott.

Lucretia Munro