TV's most complained about Christmas specials including Gavin and Stacey slur

Christmas TV quite often creates some of the most memorable moments of the year - but that doesn't stop the specials from being the centre of controversy.

The telly schedules are usually packed with movies and special instalments of favourite formats. BBC, ITV and channel 4 all have some Christmas crackers this year, with the Gavin & Stacey finale expected to top ratings.

We take a look at some of the most complained about moments from previous years - including gags about the royal family and frowned upon song lyrics.

Gavin & Stacey

The highly-anticipated 2020 Christmas Special of Gavin and Stacey caused quite a stir when it included an uncensored version of a controversial Christmas song.

Fairytale of New York is one of the most popular track The Pogues ever made. However 886 viewers complained after the festive instalment of the sitcom failed to censor the infamous homophobic slur that was included in the lyrics.

The show saw Bryn and Nessa take to the stage as they belted the tune out in a karaoke session at The Dolphin which included the word, "f****t".

As a result, the BBC issued a lengthy statement in defence of the episode and also the track itself. The publicly funded corporation commented: "'Fairytale of New York' is a well-established, much-loved Christmas song which tells the story of a troubled couple in 1940s New York.

"The descent of their relationship is reflected in the increasingly abusive and offensive terms they use to address each other; insults which are intended to reflect the language that such characters might have used in that era.

"The origin of the word includes a definition which describes it as a contemptuous and antiquated word for laziness, and the author of the song has cited this inference behind his inclusion of that line.

"While the word 'f*****,' is now widely acknowledged as having the potential to offend, the song never suggests or implies that this is, or was ever, an appropriate way to address another person, nor does it link it to homosexuality.

"Nessa and Bryn were seen singing the original lines and we can assure you there was no intention to offend viewers. We understand that some people will find it offensive in any context but we also recognise that the song is widely played and enjoyed in its original form."

They added: "Ofcom have previously stated that they feel it is 'unlikely that audiences would widely perceive [the song] as a serious attempt to denigrate the homosexual community'."

Big Fat Quiz of the Year 

In 2013, the Big Fat Quiz of the Year on ITV upset viewers with jokes about the Queen. Ofcom received 86 complaints relating to jokes made on the panel gameshow.

On the episode, comedian Jack Whitehall joked about the Diamond Jubilee that took place the year before. He quipped: "I have a theory. She [the Queen] didn't sit down for the entirety of that thing, and people were talking about that.

"It was the day after the night of her anniversary and Prince Philip woke up with a urinary infection ... I'm just saying what everyone's thinking, people."

A spokesperson from Channel 4 responded to the complaints, saying: "Big Fat Quiz of The Year is a well established comedic and satirical review of the year's events with well-known guests and was broadcast after the watershed with appropriate warnings."

Channel 4’s alternative Christmas message

In 2021, Channel 4 was hit with 347 complaints over its alternative Christmas message. The broadcasters used AI to make actress Debra Stephenson look exactly like Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The 'Deepfake Queen' was seen dancing and joking about Megxit for five minutes, and was screened after households watched the real Queen deliver her annual address.

Royal Expert Ingrid Seward from Majesty Magazine, fumed: "It is in really poor taste and didn't look that funny. There are a lot of people you can ridicule -but not the Queen.

"This kind of thing would never have happened ten years ago. Channel 4 are using the Queen to get some publicity."