Ofcom to investigate X-Factor’s Lady Gaga audition

35 people raised concerns on the impact of a contestant’s strained performance on her children...

12:48 27 September 2012

TV watchdog Ofcom received 35 complaints for Alison Brunton’s Lady Gaga performance in the auditions for popular talent show, The X-Factor.  The 51-year-old mother of two teenagers sang while her children watched from the wing. 

 

After Ms. Brunton’s strained performance Scary Spice Mel B, a guest judge on the panel, said: “That should never have happened.”

 

Louis Walsh added: “It was a bit like somebody drunk at a wedding.”

 

Tulisa Contostavlos on the other hand, found a nicer way to deliver the feedback, saying: “You're an absolute legend for getting up and doing it.”

 

Prior to the Lady Gaga performance, host Dermot O’Leary asked the kids, aged 14 and 16, if they would be teased about it at school.  Her son said: “I'm never going to hear the end of this.”

 

Under the broadcasting code, under-18s must not be ‘caused unnecessary distress or anxiety by their involvement in programmes’, as cited by the BBC.

An ITV spokeswoman said: “The X-Factor does not include child contestants but takes the welfare of any children featured in the show very seriously. It is a well-established format and contestants regularly bring along their family to support them, as Alison did.

“Footage of family members is only used when appropriate consent has been obtained.”

The show returns this Saturday, 29th September, where the short-listed contestants are set for the judges houses as part of the next stage of the competition.