Ofcom mulls investigation after complaints over Cheryl's 'raunchy' X Factor show
Ofcom is considering an investigation into Cheryl’s performance on The X Factor on Sunday night, following complaints from viewers.
The ex-Girls Aloud singer debuted her new single on the show, but was criticised for its overtly sexual nature.
She licked her hand during the performance of Love Made Me Do It, and writhed on the floor with a group of male dancers.
Viewers found the pre-watershed performance, her first in four years, to be overly sexualised considering a young audience watches the results show.
15 complaints were lodged with the TV watchdog, a spokesperson telling OK! Magazine: “We’ve had 15 complaints objecting to sexual tone and clothing in Cheryl’s routine.
“We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules before deciding whether or not to investigate.”
Her vocal performance was also battered by viewers, who questioned her decision to perform live – though others noted she’d have been equally slated for lip syncing.
Cheryl really can't win can she? She sings over a pre-recorded track and she's slated for miming, she sings completely live and gets slated because her vocals aren't 10/10.
— Anthony 🌭 (@anorderlymess) November 18, 2018
Show fans also noted that guest judge Nile Rodgers, who is sitting in for Robbie Williams, appeared to have ‘snubbed’ the singer by not joining in a standing ovation with his fellow judges.
However, he quickly took to Twitter to show a ‘before and after’ shot of him standing and applauding her.
“Pic on right was me before I just happened to sit down. I’d never snub ANYBODY. It’s not my nature. Really folks? This is what we’ve come to,” he wrote.
So I get to the lounge, open my powerbook and it says: @Xfactor fans are "convinced" that I snubbed Cheryl. With this pic on left as proof. Pic on right was me before I just happened to sit down. I'd never snub ANYBODY. It's not my nature. Really folks? This is what we've come to pic.twitter.com/2Soi1Qt473
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) November 19, 2018
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