Channel 4’s Naked Education hit with nearly 1,000 complaints to Ofcom

The Channel 4 show Naked Education has sparked nearly 1,000 complaints to Ofcom.

The broadcasting watchdog received numerous complaints, as the show came under fire for showing nudity to 14 to 16-year-olds, as well as airing those scenes before the watershed.

Regulating body Ofcom said it had received 930 complaints from viewers relating to an episode that aired on Tuesday, April 4th.

The series, hosted by Anna Richardson, has been described by the broadcaster as a ‘body positive’ show which aims to ‘normalise all body types, champion people’s differences and break down stereotypes’.

Richardson is also joined by two celebrity presenters, former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George and Yinka Bokinni.

The programme, which debuted last week, sparked outrage as viewers expressed their concern about seeing a group of adults strip naked in front of children.

The first episode saw a group of adults strip off in what producers say was a bid to show how different bodies look, so as to help quell people’s insecurities. The second episode, which aired on Tuesday, was focused on male bodies and saw a discussion about penis size.

A spokeswoman for Ofcom said: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, before deciding whether or not to investigate.”

Richardson, 52, who also fronts Channel 4’s Naked Attraction dating programme, previously described Naked Education as ‘educational, emotional [and] joyous’. 

She added: “If you’re curious about your body, and your life’s journey (whatever that may be), then tune in. We all need connection right now.”

The show features ‘candid conversations and naked exchanges between people who have undergone similar experiences and body transformations’, the broadcaster said.

Channel 4’s chief content officer, Ian Katz, defended the show on Twitter on Tuesday. He said: “Anyone who suggests that the Channel 4 show Naked Education promotes paedophilia or is abusive of children almost certainly hasn’t watched it.

“The show counters the dangerous myths and toxic images that teenagers are bombarded with by exposing them to real, normal bodies and engaging them in an open, safe conversation about them.

“It would be hard to think of a clearer example of valuable public service broadcasting that challenges the kind of misconceptions that too often cause anxiety and feelings of inadequacy in young people.”