Big Brother most complained-about television programme in 2012

Ofcom received 1,139 complaints concerning Conor McIntyre's (pictured) threatening remarks about fellow housemate Deana Uppal (Channel 5)

Big Brother was the most complained-about television programme of the year, new figures show.

The Channel 5 reality show, which was followed by The X Factor Results and This Morning, prompted 2,088 complaints to Ofcom, the television watchdog, across the 2012 series.

More than half (1,139) concerned Conor McIntyre’s threatening remarks about fellow housemate Deana Uppal. McIntyre said he would “punch her in the face, just knock her out” and sexually assault her with a hairbrush.

The X Factor sparked complaints of a fix surrounding Carolynne Poole’s controversial exit after an executive was seen whispering in judge Louis Walsh’s ear. Third was This Morning after presenter Phillip Schofield handed a list of alleged sex abusers to the Prime Minister.