Sabrina Carpenter sparks ITV ‘hypocrisy’ row over pre-watershed routine amid channel’s ‘misconduct’ rows
Sabrina Carpenter sparked frenzy at the BRIT Awards with a racy performance that prompted some ITV viewers to call out the broadcaster for “hypocrisy”.
The American singer opened the show with a provocative display that many deemed inappropriate for its pre-watershed timeslot.
Performing at London’s O2 Arena, the 25-year-old star stripped down to revealing red lingerie for a performance of her hit songs Espresso and Bed Chem during the set, which aired at approximately 8:20pm.
The staging included a giant pink heart-shaped bed as centrepiece for her provocative choreography which also featured the star and her backup dancers dressed as Kings Guard.
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At its most provocative, Carpenter sunk to her knees before one of her dancers who winked suggestively at the camera.
The risqué nature of her act prompted some viewers to threaten Ofcom complaints on the same evening she won collected the prestigious Global Success Award.
One viewer wrote: “RIP to the 9pm watershed,” whilst another added: “Well this is just an awkward watch sat with the parents.”
“This performance before the 9pm watershed? oh Sabrina, I love you x. some parents will end up complaining though let’s face it #BRITs,” a third agreed.
“I love Sabrina so much cos I can see the British public reporting this to ofcom immediately,” shared a fourth.
A fifth fumed: “Ofcom!!!!! 8:30 and a stage full of half-dressed women and a talentless t*** sexualising herself on @ITV PRE watershed.”
However, others called out ITV as “hypocrites” for allowing such a sexually charged performance as the broadcaster deals with a “misconduct” cases.
“Watching @itv @britawards opening act. What hypocrites you are. Cancel @Ginofantastico and yet you have young girls spearing there legs and insinuating going down on a kings guard for Saturday night family viewing,” one viewer slammed.
They were referring to the recent fall from grace of former Italian celeb chef and former ITV staple Gino D’Acampo – who was sometimes involved in innuendo laden segments during many of his appearances on ITV’s This Morning.
The broadcaster has since cut ties with D’Acampo amid claims of “sexually inappropriate” and “intimidating” behaviour spanning 12 years – something the Italian chef has firmly denied.
In a statement, the chef described the claims as “deeply upsetting” and said they were “simply not in my nature”, with a spokesperson for D’Acampo saying he was only made aware of these allegations recently when contacted by the press.
The statement added that D’Acampo “does not recollect” the alleged incidents and “does not recognise the allegations or the behaviour which is attributed to him”.