Ofcom WON’T take action after Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh branded Buckingham Palace balcony at King Charles’ Coronation ‘terribly white’ despite more than 8,000 complaints
- Watchdog received 8,371 complaints from viewers about Andoh’s comments
- Ofcom says it was a ‘personal observation’ in ‘wide-ranging panel discussion’
Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh’s description of the Buckingham Palace balcony as ‘terribly white’ during the Coronation will not be investigated further by Ofcom.
The broadcasting watchdog confirmed today that it received 8,371 complaints from viewers about Andoh’s comments during the live broadcast in London on May 6.
Ofcom said it accepted viewers had ‘strong feelings’ about her comments, but it was a ‘personal observation’ in a ‘wide-ranging panel discussion which also touched on other diversity-related topics, and which contained a range of viewpoints’.
The incident became the most complained TV moment of the year so far and later prompted an apology on the BBC from the actress, who plays Lady Agatha Danbury.
Adjoa Andoh stunned viewers by calling the Buckingham Palace balcony ‘terribly white’
Members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the flypast on May 6
Andoh, 60, said at the time: ‘Looking at all those young people, there is a bit of me that has gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to the terribly white balcony.
‘I’m very struck by that. I am also looking at those younger generations and thinking: ‘What are the nuances that they will inhabit when they grow?”
The actress’s remarks prompted a major backlash on social media, with thousands also complaining to Ofcom.
Andoh then appeared on BBC Radio 4 the following day to clarify her comments and apologised. She said: ‘I think I upset a few people yesterday.
‘I was talking about the day and how marvellous it was and then looking at the balcony at the end and suddenly going: ‘Oh it’s so white!’ because the day had been so mixed and I didn’t mean to upset anybody.’
King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave from the Buckingham Palace balcony on May 6
The actress plays Lady Danbury, pictured left, in the popular period Netflix series Bridgerton
Today, an Ofcom spokesman said: ‘We have concluded our assessment of complaints we received about a comment made during ITV’s coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III, and can confirm we will not be pursuing these further.
‘We received 8,371 complaints from viewers about a comment made by actress Adjoa Andoh during the live broadcast, which focused on the appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
‘Complainants also objected to references to the comment made by ITV News presenters Tom Bradby and Chris Ship.
‘While we understand some viewers had strong feelings about this comment, after careful consideration we have concluded that the comment was a personal observation which was part of a wide-ranging panel discussion which also touched on other diversity-related topics, and which contained a range of viewpoints.
‘Our decision to not pursue these complaints further also takes into account broadcasters’ and guests’ right to freedom of expression.’
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