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Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights was the most complained-about programme on Channel 4 last month, the broadcaster has revealed to no great surprise.

The series – which was heavily criticised in the press for jokes about Katie Price’s disabled son, among others – attracted 689 complaints.

Typical was the viewer who said: ‘I was offended by this programme… The commentary and sketches seemed to want to shock rather than provide entertainment. Very disappointing as I am normally a huge fan of this comedian.’

Another 735 complaints have been received by regulator Ofcom – including one from Price herself – which is now investigating whether the show breached the broadcasting code.

However the late-night comedy was also the third most praised show of December – after two Channel 4 News reports. However, fans were much less vociferous than critics, with the broadcaster receiving just 53 items of praise.

One viewer said: ‘Hilarious, dark and cutting. And best of all he has a pop at everyone and everything. Nothing is sacred. Thanks Channel 4 for not censoring this TV gold.’

More 4’s decision not to show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart every day received the second highest number of complaints, from 519 disgruntled viewers. Although critically praised, the show only attracted modest audiences of 60,000 and 90,000 viewers in Britain.

The third most unpopular programme was also a comedy, The Morgana Show, which attracted 45 comments. One viewer summed up the complaints by saying: ‘Most of this broadcast I found completely boring and a poor attempt at comedy, but let’s leave that to taste. Amongst that which I found boring, one sketch stood out as down right distasteful.’

Published: 28 Jan 2011