Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway facing Ofcom probe over ‘secret sofa’ competition scandal
ANT and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is facing further controversy as broadcasting watchdog Ofcom launch an investigation after complaints it broke competition rules.
One viewer claims to have been turned away from the Sofawatch: Battle of Britain segment ahead of the given deadline.
The challenge sees viewers race to sofas in mystery locations where they embark in a game of rock, paper, scissors.
After the location appeared on screen, hopeful viewers face a mad dash to get there if they feel they correctly guessed the whereabouts.
Once there, they faced a quick registration process where they'd be allocated a number, giving them the chance of winning a holiday to Universal Orlando Resort for the series finale.
One viewer has come forward and claimed the off-camera registration process meant they were unable to sign-in before the cut-off time.
A spokeswoman for Ofcom told Birmingham Live: "We are investigating whether this programme broke our broadcast competition rules."
The are listed on the ITV website.
It states: "You understand that by being in attendance at a Location does not guarantee that you will be registered before the deadline."
This Morning host Phillip Schofield recently hinted that Saturday Night Takeaway WILL return after Ant McPartlin's arrest.
It was feared that ITV bosses would cancel the programme following Ant McPartlin's arrest last month.
But it seems that Phillip has the inside track, letting the news slip during an episode of This Morning while he and co-host Holly Willoughby were showing viewers around their brand new set.
Speaking about their new home at Television Centre, Phil - who worked in the building during his stints at the BBC - said there's already potential plans in place to film a 2019 series of SNT, and bosses already have a studio booked.
He said: "It is freaking me out! Because just on the other side there, that glass bit that goes down, behind those stairs on the fourth floor was the broom cupboard. That's where Going Live! was positioned.
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
"That doesn't exist anymore. And here, there are the three original studios, they're called 'TC'. TC1 is the big one, I think Graham Norton's in there at the moment. The next series of Takeaway might be in there, it's that big one behind the wall that says Television Centre.
"And then there's studio 2 which is for Loose Women and Lorraine, and then TC3 which is where we are and Good Morning Britain is in here too, they're on the other side of the wall."
This Morning - as well as many other ITV shows - has been forced to relocate from ITV's Southbank studios to the former BBC headquarters at White City.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.