ITV cleared over Jason's 'highly offensive' remark

ITV cleared over Jason's 'highly offensive' remark (Image credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Dancing On Ice has escaped censure over comments made by judge Jason Gardiner on the show. The watchdog received 242 complaints after Jason said celebrity contestant Jeff Brazier appeared to be 'missing a couple of chromosomes'. Head coach Karen Barber criticised the comments as 'offensive" and "personal', saying Jason should stick to talking about performance on the ice. Viewers of the ITV1 show said the remark was 'highly offensive, particularly to those with chromosomal disorders', 'discriminatory' and 'completely inappropriate'. ITV said Jason did not intend to offend or refer to people with chromosomal conditions, while he later said on Twitter his comment was meant to describe Jeff's 'strange facial expressions like those of a chimpanzee'. The broadcaster said it had spoken to Jason and that his comments would not be repeated. Ofcom said that the material was capable of being highly offensive. But it said it 'noted the measures taken after the broadcast by Jason Gardiner, who made clear in a public statement that it had not been his intention to offend, or indeed for the comments to have had the meaning that some viewers took from them. "We also took into account the measures ITV had taken, discussing the matter with Jason Gardiner to ensure he understood viewers' concerns and that the matter would not be repeated. "Ofcom also notes ITV's public apology, and apologies given to complaints it received directly from viewers. In view of the steps taken by both the licensee (ITV) and Jason Gardiner, Ofcom therefore considers the matter resolved," it said.

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Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.