GOOD Morning Britain has been inundated with almost 2000 Ofcom complaints after a heated exchange about XL Bully dogs descended into a shouting match.
Last week journalist Mike Parry and dog trainer Kay Taiwo took part in a debate hosted by presenters Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh, about whether the so-called dangerous dog breed should be euthanized.
But just minutes into the discussion the presenters struggled to keep control of the opinions which clashed horribly and ended in chaos.
In the aftermath of the televised row, some 1,765 complaints have been registered with Ofcom.
The TV debate follows a string of incidents involving the breed where a 23 year old died after keeping two of them as pets.
As a result there is an increase in demand for the breed to be completely banned and eventually put down for the benefit of public safety.
Taiwo, a dog trainer, brought her XL Bully Naija onto the GMB set for the conversation, and the muzzled pup remained placid well-behaved throughout the discussion.
But while Taiwo argues that the dogs simply need better training and care, Parry said that they should be put down.
When asked by Madeley how he would go enforce this, Perry said he would demand the dogs be rounded up as they should already be registered.
Taiwo told him: “You’re not making sense. If you’re talking about the size of a dog making you afraid, there are so many dogs you can feel afraid of… and if you’re talking about the purpose of the breed, then you don’t understand the purpose of an XL.”
“Why does that dog have a jaw that’s so strong it can break bones?!” Perry responded.
Taiwo later added her dog, who was calmly asleep on the floor, was wearing a muzzle as she was following the law.
Fans were furious at the unfolding scenes. While they were divided over who was in the right, they unanimously agreed that the pair yelling at each other was too far.
Speaking on X (formerly Twitter), one wrote: “Well that was a pointless conversation you couldn’t hear anything except the XL owner shouting he ain’t making no sense.Lets face the owners of these dogs love them,for what reason god only knows,and everyone else is scared of them.”
“To be honest I’d rather see that muzzle on Parry,” said another, while a third added, “I agree but bro stop shouting.”
Good Morning Britain's Biggest Ofcom ding dongs
Good Morning Britain has had its fair share of Ofcom complaints over the years, even holding the title for most complained about show in 2021. Here are some of the most notable:
September 2017 – Michael Davidson appeared on the programme to argue his case for gay conversion therapy – 1,099 complaints
January 2020 – Piers Morgan under fire for ‘mocking Chinese accent’ in conversation on Peter Phillips advertising Chinese milk – 1,756 complaints
April 2020 – Piers Morgan criticised for ‘combative’ interview techniques used while talking to MP Helen Whatley over Covid care home deaths and treatment – 5,501 complaints
November 2020 – Rishi Sunak and Ben Shephard clash over disputed information regarding Covid furlough scheme – 1,700 complaints
March 2021 – Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle and mental health after her Oprah interview – 57,121 complaints
October 2023 – Richard Madeley asked MP Layla Moran – who has family in Gaza – if she had any prior knowledge of Hamas attack – 2,391 complaints.
