Saturday Night Takeaway hit by more Ofcom complaints as Ant McPartlin ‘throws’ dogs from sofa

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway has been hit by even more complaints following this weekend's episode.

For the first time in the show's 18 year history, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both 44, hosted the show from their living rooms as they social distance to try and battle the coronavirus crisis sweeping the globe.

As they played best bits from previous episodes of the hit ITV show, the Geordie duo were joined on their sofas by their adorable dogs.

But some viewers were left shocked to see that, while Dec gently placed his Dachshund on the sofa to get him off camera, Ant seemed to shoo his three pedigree pals with a bit more force.

Fans of the show rushed to Twitter to slam the host — who also presents I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! — for his roughness, with one writing: "Don't throw the dogs, Ant."

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  Ant and Dec to host Saturday Night Takeaway live from separate homes as they self-isolate

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  Declan Donnelly and wife Ali Astall enjoy dog walk in the sunshine during UK coronavirus lockdown

A second wrote: "Did Ant and Dec really just throw and push their dogs [sic]"

With a third adding: "I just turned on the TV to see Ant throwing his dogs off the settee… Harley got a good shove. What’s that about?? [sic]"

As a fourth complained: "Er, didn’t like the way ant threw the dogs from the sofa. Just me?"

However, some fans did jump to defend Ant, with one posting: "Knew trolls would start moaning and saying Ant 'threw' his dogs! Even the very serious pandemic just doesn’t stop the trolls."

While a second wrote: "Cue the people complaining about the way Ant threw his dogs."

But OK! online can reveal that viewers were so upset by the clip that they made official complaints to television watchdog Ofcom.

A spokesperson for the communications office confirmed to us that six people had lodged complaints about the moment with them.

Just two weeks ago, viewers of the show complained to Ofcom after a racy snog left them branding the scenes "inappropriate."

A couple named Rob and Annette shared a kiss in a bid to to embarrass their children in return for a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida for the series finale — which will now not be going ahead.

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The pair kissed for 12 seconds on the live show, leaving viewers at home "mortified" and branding the scenes "disgusting" as they were pre-watershed.

Regulator Ofcom confirmed to OK! online that 37 complaints about the episode were received in total – 36 about audience members kissing and one about inappropriate dancing.

Earlier in the series, End of the Show Show performances by the Pussycat Dolls and Anne-Marie had also racked up complaints.

OK! online has contacted a representative for Ant and Dec for comment on this story.

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