ITV sparks outrage airing outbreak film Contagion amid coronavirus pandemic igniting 160 Ofcom complaints
ITV ignited outrage by airing outbreak film Contagion last night amid the coronavirus pandemic – sparking 160 complaints to Ofcom. The 2011 movie tracks the outbreak of a new virus that wipes out a large percentage of the world’s population. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates It stars Gwyneth […]
ITV ignited outrage by airing outbreak film Contagion last night amid the coronavirus pandemic – sparking 160 complaints to Ofcom.
The 2011 movie tracks the outbreak of a new virus that wipes out a large percentage of the world’s population.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
It stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Beth Emhoff, the first person to contract the deadly infection.
But the critically liked film didn’t sit well with viewers currently in coronavirus lockdown – as it hit a bit too close to home.
A huge 160 people complained to the broadcasting regulator about ITV‘s scheduling.
Fans also flocked to Twitter to air their distaste, with one person saying: “So the UK is in lockdown so the geniuses at ITV decide to put #Contagion on”
Another added: “Poor taste by @ITV to show the movie Contagion on ITV2 this evening at 9.00pm. Social responsibility?”
A third remarked: “Sorry @ITV but who thought Contagion was a good movie to broadcast last night?”
A fourth said: “Last night @itv scheduled the movie contagion, absolutely disgusting, insensitive and unnecessary! The reality is enough! TV showing holiday adverts too! Sort it out TV channels! @ITV @BBCOne @Channel4 @piersmorgan can you help by shaming them?!”
However, others suggested they should air the film – as a warning to society.
One person said: “No Contagion should have been on ITV not ITV 2. Or put on BBC. 1. Some saying “not appropriate”. Are you f***ing kidding? A greater public health warning you couldn’t wish for.”
Another added: “For those crying that ITV showed #Contagion, an epidemiologist* tried to warn people in 2006 of this. He was laughed at and called a scaremonger. He then helped create the movie. Maybe some of you will now take heed. *His name is Larry Brilliant.”
In the movie, Gwyneth Paltrow’s character Beth Emhoff character contracts the new illness and dies four days later – along with her sons.
Matt Damon stars as her husband Mitch who, with their daughter, is the only survivor in the family.
MOST READ IN TV AND SHOWBIZ
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
Marion Cotillard plays epidemiologist Dr Leonora Orantes, who is racing against the clock to find a vaccine
The scientific adviser on the film, veterinary pathologist Tracey McNamara, has spoken out on the message of the film earlier this month
“I wish people had paid closer attention to it when the film came out, because it really was a warning to the federal government that this could happen and you need to prepare,” she told BuzzFeed News.
Official figures released today showed the pandemic had claimed 578 lives in Britain, up 113 from the previous total.
A total of 11,658 people have tested positive in the UK, with 4,300 NHS beds filled with Covid-19 patients.