'Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway' kiss sparks complaints

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway prompted complaints from viewers after featuring a passionate kiss between a couple in the audience.

Audience members Rob and Annette were challenged to snog live on the ITV show in a bid to embarrass their children and win them a trip to Walt Disney World Florida, as part of a game called Cringe.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom told Yahoo UK: "We have received 36 complaints from viewers who objected to the kiss."

Read more: ITV apologises for Ant and Dec's 'Saturday Night Takeaway' sketch costumes

Hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly told viewers that Rob and Annette made a habit of embarrassing their children with public displays of affection.

Speaking to the kids via live video link while they were watching the show at home in Essex, Donnelly told them: "If you want to win a place on the plane all you have to do is allow your mum and dad to kiss... live on national television."

After the children agreed, McPartlin said: "Are you ready for Bafta award-winning television guys?"

The couple began to kiss passionately while Jane Birkin’s song Je T’aime was played, before McPartlin eventually stopped them saying, "That's it, thank you. It's a family show."

Read more: Dec admits he thought partnership would not survive

Earlier this month ITV were forced to issue an apology after McPartlin and Donnelly wore karate outfits featuring Japan's Rising Sun flag during an episode of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. The flag has been said to be a symbol of the country's imperialist past.

An ITV spokesperson said: “We apologise for any offence caused during the End of the Show Show by the costumes worn.

“This was clearly unintended and we have taken steps to re-edit that part of the episode for the Hub and for repeat broadcasts.”

And a raunchy performance by the Pussycat Dolls on the show is also said to have prompted 67 complaints to Ofcom.