Noel Fielding has come under fire from Ofcom after he attempted to hide in a fridge on Tuesday night’s episode of The Great British Bake-Off.
The comedian’s prank left viewers in such fury that it received four times the complaints to the TV watchdog than Sarah Harding’s sex act with Chad Johnson on last month’s Celebrity Big Brother.
While the ‘irresponsible’ joke act on the baking series was slammed on Twitter, it also caused a surge of angry phone calls to Ofcom who received 24 complaints, in comparison to the former Girls Aloud singer’s six.
Outrage: Noel Fielding, 44, has come under fire from Ofcom after he attempted to hide in a fridge on Tuesday night’s episode of The Great British Bake-Off
Shocking: The comedian’s prank left viewers in such fury that it received four times the complaints to the TV watchdog than Sarah Harding’s sex act with Chad Johnson on last month’s Celebrity Big Brother
While the contestants were giving it all they had during a tense challenge on Tuesday’s bread week episode, Noel decided to kill time by hopping into an empty fridge.
His co-host Sandi Toksvig also played a part in the joke as she opened the fridge door to reveal where Noel had been hiding.
And while many laughed at their hilarious banter, others were none too keen with Ofcom receiving 24 complaints.
In comparison, Sarah Harding shocked the nation as she got very touchy-feely with American hunk Chad in bed.
Fury: While many laughed at the hilarious banter, others were none too keen with Ofcom receiving 24 complaints
Antics: In comparison, Sarah Harding shocked the nation as she got very touchy-feely with American hunk Chad in bed. However, it only received six complaints
However, despite her antics being the talk of the nation, it only received six complaints.
MailOnline has contacted representatives at Ofcom for further comment.
While many opted to call in, numerous others decided to take to Twitter to display their outrage over Noel’s fridge prank:
‘#C4 How stupid can you be ? You should never shut people in a Fridge even for comic effect ! Children are watching this ! #GBBO.’
Joke: While the contestants were giving it all they had during a tense challenge on Tuesday’s bread week episode, Noel decided to kill time by hopping into an empty fridge
‘Great message to kids!’ While many opted to call in, numerous others decided to take to Twitter to display their outrage over Noel’s fridge prank
‘Well done @channel4 – showing a man hiding in a fridge. Children have died doing that. Not funny. #GBBO.’
‘Children have accidentally died playing inside fridges & freezers. What was @Channel4 thinking of putting #GBBO presenter in a fridge?’
‘Seriously, hiding in a fridge? What do health & safety have to say about that? #GBBO’
#GBBO Great British Bake Off – Noel Fielding hiding and being shut in a fridge by Sandi Toksvig. Great message to all the kids watching.’
‘Not sure shutting someone in a fridge was clever on #GBBO when kids watching it.’
‘Never get into a fridge kids! Bad influence Noel! #GBBO.’
#GBBO very irresponsible to show a grown up hiding in a fridge.’
Drop: Meanwhile, while GBBO was the biggest show on TV last year when it was still on the BBC, the third episode of the show pulled in 5.7 million viewers – a drop of 300,000 since last week
Ratings: The programme still won its 8pm to 9.15pm slot, but it didn’t beat the ratings pulled in by prime-time BBC One 9pm drama Doctor Foster, which was watched by 6.3 million people on average
Meanwhile, while GBBO was the biggest show on TV last year when it was still on the BBC, the third episode of the show pulled in 5.7 million viewers – a drop of 300,000 since last week.
The programme still won its 8pm to 9.15pm slot, but it didn’t beat the ratings pulled in by prime-time BBC One 9pm drama Doctor Foster, which was watched by 6.3 million people on average.
At its peak, more than 6.7 million people were watching last night’s Bake Off, which saw beloved 71-year-old cocktail drinker Flo – the oldest ever contestant – booted off during Bread Week.
Paul Hollywood had fans rejoicing on Tuesday’s episode as he led the double entendres as he showed hopeful winners his ‘finger technique’ to infuse two rolls of bread.
Innuendos: Paul Hollywood had fans rejoicing on Tuesday’s episode as he led the double entendres as he showed hopeful winners his ‘finger technique’ to infuse two rolls of bread