As the year draws to an end, TV has delivered some truly unforgettable moments in 2025.
From Alan Carr profusely sweating on Celebrity Traitors to that Sam Rockwell monologue in The White Lotus, Metro has already provided a roundup of the year’s best moments on the silver screen.
Looking ahead to the New Year, there is also a great deal to be looking forward to.
On New Year’s Day, the final episode of Stranger Things will be landing on Netflix while the latest series of The Traitors and The Night Manager are airing on a jam-packed schedule.
But if it’s drama that you’re after, Ofcom has published a breakdown of all 49,580 complaints it received about TV in 2025.
Get personalised updates on Love Island
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
So, from Love Island to GB News and Celebrity Big Brother, here are the top 10 most complained about programmes of the year.
1. Shakira being ‘bullied’ on Love Island
The number one spot in this year’s Ofcom list belongs to none other than Love Island.
Coming in at 3,547 complaints, viewers protested on July 24 over the alleged bullying of Shakira Khan.
Fans of the show claimed that producers had highlighted her confrontational moments, including her clashes with Emily and Meg, making it seem like she was a villain.
2. More Love Island ‘bullying’
In a surprising revelation, the alleged bullying of Shakira in another episode of Love Island on July 22 was the second most complained about moment of 2025.
In total, 2,509 complaints were lodged, with a small number also being made about Megan Moore returning to the villa.
Despite these statistics, viewers still hailed the latest series as ‘the best season ever’.
3. Further Love Island ‘bullying’
It’s a Love Island hat-trick! The top three most complained about TV moments of 2025 all belong to the alleged bullying of Shakira.
This time around on July 23, 2,002 complaints were made regarding how Shakira, who eventually coupled up with Harry Cooksley, was treated.
Viewers were also unhappy with Dejon Noel-Williams’ behaviour towards Megan as well.
Despite the show taking the top three spots, Ofcom decided not to investigate the latest season, despite viewers logging more than 14,000 complaints in total.
4. Karen Millen on breastfeeding
In fourth place, and finally breaking the trend of Love Island so far, is none other than fashion designer Karen Millen who called a mother ‘selfish’ for wanting to breastfeed.
Appearing on Vanessa Feltz’s talk show on June 10, the show was hit with 1,866 complaints.
Viewers took to social media to criticise her misleading and ‘disgraceful’ remarks.
5. GB News
On January 22, 1,391 complainants objected to a presenter’s comment on GB News after Josh Howie appeared to suggest the LBGTQ+ community included paedophiles.
Ofcom’s investigation found the live programme broke broadcasting rules by including a highly offensive remark which was not justified by the context, falling short of generally accepted standards.
In addition to these complaints submitted directly by individuals to Ofcom, the Good Law Project gathered 71,851 complaints and provided them to Ofcom.
6. Sky News on Gaza
In sixth place, 1,302 complaints were made against Samantha Washington on Sky News on June 7.
The complaints related to a section of the programme on the Madleen, a vessel trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
Those who contacted Ofcom alleged that a comment by the presenter misrepresented the mission’s peaceful nature.
7. Love Island
In seventh spot, we’re back to Love Island… again.
One day after the most complained about moment of the year, 1,296 complaints were made on July 25 about the alleged bullying of Shakira again.
Some of these complaints, however, were also levelled against the way Blu spoke to Toni, when a feud erupted between the two Islanders.
8. Love Island: All Stars
In eighth position, we’re yet again talking about Love Island, but this time it’s for the All Stars edition.
On February 12, 1,240 complaints were made about alleged bullying behaviour between the particpants.
The episode saw contestant Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu confront her friend-turned-rival Elma Pazar about feeling a ‘weird grudge’. This then erupted into a blazing row.
Tensions first appeared when Ekin-Su kissed Elma’s partner, Sammy Root, in the heart rate challenge. The argument saw Elma swear at Ekin-Su and her partner Curtis before storming off.
9. Mickey Rourke on Celebrity Big Brother
Rather surprisingly, Mickey Rourke’s repeated offensive behaviour on Celebrity Big Brother was the ninth most complained-about TV moment of 2025.
The Hollywood actor, 72, was eventually removed from the ITV show after making homophobic remarks directed at JoJo Siwa.
Mickey also used sexually inappropriate language in a conversation with Ella Rae Wise and displayed threatening behaviour towards Chris Hughes.
Speaking to Variety, Mickey said about his exit: ‘I blame myself. I know it was my bad, you know, I’ve got a short fuse. I know I upset a lot of people out there.
‘I’m sorry for that. I’m actually ashamed of myself for getting that hot. I went over the line, you know, I did wrong. I guess I could say I’m a work in progress.’
10. The Brit Awards
Last, but certainly not least, was the the Brit Awards 2025, which received 938 complaints on March 1.
Sabrina Carpenter’s risque performance and Charli XCX’s outfit was the main source of the complaints.
The Espresso singer, 25, later addressed the controversy with her trademark humour on Instagram, writing: ‘I now know what watershed is!!!!’
This article was originally published on December 18, 2025.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.