An Ofcom spokesperson told LADbible: “We are assessing the complaints against our rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
Under its standard procedures, Ofcom is required to evaluate every submission it receives against its broadcasting code. Where potential breaches are identified, the regulator opens a formal investigation and publishes its findings in its fortnightly Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin.
Many viewers reported on social media that the episode had prompted them to lodge a complaint with the regulator for the first time.
The backlash extended beyond the viewing public. Former housemate Millie Jarrett, the first contestant eliminated from the current series, took to TikTok Live to demand Mr El Mayer’s removal, declaring: “Omar needs to get kicked out. He needs to go. I know so many people are making complaints about him.”
Another former contestant, Chelsey Ammari, posted her own TikTok describing the scenes as an “uncomfortable watch.”