New ITV comedy hit with over 100 Ofcom complaints as fans brand show ‘disrespectful’
ITV sitcom visits has been hit with over 100 Ofcom complaints after being branded “disrespectful” by viewers.
The new comedy stars Sarah Parrish and Mark Heap as long-time police officers training six struggling new recruits.
The tongue in cheek title makes reference to the way that police are sometimes offensively referred to as ‘pigs’.
Now, 106 people have complained to Ofcom in light of the show being broadcast, citing “the programme’s title and content were disrespectful to the police force”.
Fans also took to X (formerly Twitter) to complain about the show’s material as well.
“I couldn’t even get past the name….. utterly disrespectful. There is humour to be found In policing, but not this way,” wrote one.
Another wrote: “How on earth did they get away with the name #piglets for a supposed ‘comedy’ show about police trainees? Shocking lack of respect for The Police.
“Change is needed to improve the police service but this was very misjudged & offensive to serving officers trying their best.”
“@ITV is it any wonder the lack of respect in the community for the police and public service,” said a third.
“See the title of a new police training school comedy ! “piglets” and that’s okay is it. Really?
However, some came to the show’s defence, stating: “Watching #Piglets on ITV, and I can understand why the Police are a little peeved. It is however, a comedy, and a bloody well done one at that. Very cringe worthy, but also quite hilarious in parts.”
The Ofcom complaints come after the Police Federation issued a statement hitting out at the name of the series, with the Acting Chair calling it “disgusting”.
Tiffany Lynch, Acting National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “The new ITV show titled Piglets is highly offensive to police officers risking their lives to protect the public every day by providing an emergency service.
It is a disgusting choice of language to use for the title of a TV programme.
“Our colleagues are working hard and keeping people safe under relentless negative pressure at the moment, insulting our new in service officers is unhelpful.
“The name of this show is also inflammatory against a landscape of rising threats and violence against officers.”
A spokesperson for ITV released a statement in response reading: “Piglets is a fictional new comedy about a police training academy and the title is not intended to cause any offence, it’s a comedic and endearing play on words to emphasise the innocence and youth of our young trainees.”
