Adjoa Andoh’s ‘terribly white’ coronation remark becomes most complained about moment of 2023, Ofcom says

A comment by Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh about the Buckingham Palace balcony being “terribly white” has become the most complained about televised moment of 2023, Ofcom has said.

More than 4,000 complaints were filed about the remark, which the 60-year-old actress made when she appeared on ITV’s live coverage of the King’s coronation celebrations on Saturday.

Andoh, who plays Lady Agatha Danbury in the Netflix show, said: “Looking at all those young people, there is a bit of me that has gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to the terribly white balcony. I’m very struck by that.”

She later appeared on BBC Radio 4 to clarify what she meant and apologise for remarking on the moment the King and Queen appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with their family to wave at the public.

Acknowledging the backlash she received, Andoh told host Pady O’Connell on Sunday: “I think I upset a few people yesterday.

“I was talking about the day and how marvellous it was and then looking at the balcony at the end and suddenly went, ‘Oh, it’s so white’ because the day had been so, so mixed and I didn’t mean to upset anybody.”

Read more:
Nation’s support is ‘greatest coronation gift’, says King
Who are the next generation of the Royal Family?

UK regulator Ofcom said it received 4,165 complaints, making it the most complained about moment on TV so far this year.

A spokesperson said: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules before deciding whether or not to investigate.”

The King’s coronation service at Westminster Abbey was watched by 18.8 million viewers in the UK, according to overnight ratings released by the research organisation Barb.

ITV declined to comment.