Gregg Wallace’s ‘human flesh’ documentary has sparked a new wave of Ofcom complaints, with viewers outraged by its advocacy of ‘cannibalism.’
The Channel 4 documentary followed the MasterChef host, 58, as he visited a plant that ‘harvested human cells to manufacture burgers and steak’ at affordable prices in order to combat the cost-of-living problem.
Viewers of The British Miracle Meat saw as scientists created a new line of ‘premium’ items dubbed ‘toddler tartare’ manufactured from ’tissue of youngsters under the age of six’.
The documentary, on the other hand, was a satire, a political commentary on the crushing impact of rising energy and food bills, with the broadcaster emphasising that it was a “witty yet thought-provoking commentary on the extreme measures many people are being forced to take to stay afloat in our society during the cost of living crisis.”
While some have praised Gregg for his role in the documentary, others have slammed the way it delivered its message, with hundreds filing official complaints with Ofcom.
The media watchdog received 408 complaints last week, with 393 more in the last seven days, bringing the total to 801.
Ofcom acknowledged the complaints were about ‘objections to the subject of the mockumentary.’
Gregg has already come out in support of his show, responding to the outrage with a witty tweet.
Writing in an article for The Sun, he said: ‘While it was a complete fantasy, we wanted to raise important questions about the nation’s relationship with food and what those struggling with the cost of living are being asked to do in order to stay afloat.
‘The programme makers consulted with experts to make sure what we were saying reflected what is actually happening and didn’t wander into the realms of science fiction.’
He concluded by adding: ‘If we don’t start to tackle the cost of food and eat more healthily, then this programme — and the prospect of human meat on the menu — might not seem so far-fetched after all.’
Gregg was also supported by the show’s director, who called him the “smartest person in the room” for taking on the contentious issue.
Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat is available to stream on demand on Channel 4.
Source My Celebrity Life.
