Ofcom has dismissed complaints about a segment on ITV’s This Morning that featured eight-year-old girls pole dancing.
The segment, titled “Are pole dancing classes suitable for eight-year-olds?”, aired on the ITV breakfast show at 10.30am on 16 February.
The clip, which featured eight-year-olds and an 11-year-old pole dancing, discussed whether the routine’s move from being the “preserve of red light districts” to the mainstream made it acceptable for children to take it up as a hobby.
The broadcasting regulator received complaints from viewers that the clip was unacceptable and should not have been aired.
Ofcom assessed the complaints but decided there were not grounds to launch a formal investigation to see if ITV was in breach of the UK broadcasting code.
The watchdog assessed the clip and decided it was specifically focused on fitness and not sexualised behaviour.
“We received seven complaints from viewers objecting to children aged eight to 11 carrying out a pole-dancing fitness routine,” said a spokesman for Ofcom. “However we won’t be taking these forward for investigation.”
