“Utterly Sickening!” Good Morning Britain Faces HUNDREDS of Ofcom Complaints Over On-Air Remarks About Charlie Kirk’s Murder

In a stunning turn of events, Good Morning Britain has been hit with hundreds of complaints to Ofcom following controversial and “utterly sickening” remarks made about Charlie Kirk’s tragic murder on the show. The comments, which aired on September 11, 2025, have sparked widespread outrage from viewers, many of whom are condemning the remarks as disrespectful and “misinformed.”

The morning show, hosted by Kate Garraway and Ed Balls, aired a segment covering the shocking death of the American right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk was tragically shot dead on September 10, 2025, while giving a speech on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, at just 31 years old. His death has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from various corners of the political spectrum.

However, Good Morning Britain’s coverage of his death quickly took a dark turn when guests on the show, including writer Nels Abbey and former conservative MP Michael Gove, shared their opinions on the activist’s life and legacy. Abbey, in particular, made controversial statements that many viewers found offensive and deeply upsetting.

The Controversial Comments That Sparked Outrage

During the segment, Nels Abbey, who is known for his political commentary, was asked for his thoughts on Charlie Kirk’s death. In response, Abbey said: “I don’t agree with the Cicero of TikTok. I believe he was a David Duke for the TikTok age.”

David Duke, infamous for his leadership in the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan, was an incredibly controversial figure in American politics. By comparing Kirk to Duke, Abbey ignited outrage, with many viewers perceiving his words as an attempt to discredit Kirk’s legacy in an inappropriate manner, especially in the context of his tragic death.

Abbey went on to say, “This is by no means trying to justify his murder. Political violence is wrong at home, it’s wrong abroad. Political violence must be condemned, as must the propagandising for political violence and the dehumanisation of people.”

While Abbey did attempt to walk back some of his comments, he didn’t hold back from criticizing Kirk’s work, adding: “Charlie Kirk was somebody who… I shiver, particularly for Conservatives when he’s described as Conservative, because he wasn’t by any means whatsoever. He was quite clearly and comfortably a supremacist.”

The Backlash and Wave of Complaints

These remarks triggered an immediate and massive response from viewers, with 354 people filing complaints with Ofcom. Many expressed that Abbey’s comments about Kirk were deeply disrespectful and added unnecessary fuel to a painful and tragic situation.

One viewer wrote, “To speak about someone’s death in such a way is utterly disgraceful. Whether you agree with Charlie Kirk’s views or not, no one deserves to be vilified like that after death.”

Another viewer added, “This is supposed to be a news program, not a political vendetta. They crossed the line, and I’m sickened that these comments were allowed to air.”

In the wake of the controversy, Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting regulator, confirmed it had received a large number of complaints regarding the segment and said it would review the content to determine if any regulations were violated.

Anne Hegerty Joins the Outrage with ‘Stupid’ Comments

The outrage didn’t end with the Good Morning Britain episode. Later in the day, Anne Hegerty, a popular quizmaster from ITV’s The Chase, added fuel to the fire with her own controversial remarks on social media. In a tweet to her 148,000 followers, Hegerty expressed that she had never heard of Charlie Kirk prior to the news of his death and shared her opinion on his political views.

“I had never heard of Charlie Kirk before Wednesday night. Had we met, my end of the conversation would have been ‘You just said WHAT?’ and ‘Scuse me, those are my FRIENDS you’re talking about,’” she wrote. While she later clarified that she condemned the murder, her initial comments drew swift backlash from followers who accused her of making uninformed statements about Kirk and his work.

One commenter responded: “Anne, look at his debates before making assumptions—P.S. your head is big,” while another wrote, “You’ve never heard of him yet you make stupid assumptions.”

In response to the criticism, Hegerty doubled down and defended her comments, sparking a fiery debate with her critics.

Public Backlash Over Misinformation

The criticism surrounding both Good Morning Britain’s coverage and Anne Hegerty’s comments highlights the growing tension between the public’s desire for balanced and respectful discourse and the increasingly polarized nature of political debate in the media.

For many viewers, the statements made about Charlie Kirk, particularly in the context of his violent death, struck a tone of disrespect that was uncalled for. Others felt that the media’s tendency to sensationalize political violence had created an environment where it was all too easy to make sweeping judgments without fully understanding the facts or the individual in question.

Many conservative commentators have called for more respect and understanding when discussing people with whom they disagree politically, stressing that disagreements should not lead to personal attacks, especially after someone’s death.

What’s Next for Good Morning Britain?

As Good Morning Britain continues to cover high-profile news stories, it remains to be seen how the show will respond to this backlash. The network will likely review its editorial standards to ensure that future coverage of sensitive topics, particularly violent events, is handled with the care and respect it deserves. The public’s demand for a more nuanced and thoughtful approach to such discussions is louder than ever.

The controversy surrounding the remarks made about Charlie Kirk’s murder also raises larger questions about the responsibility of media outlets to provide balanced reporting and avoid the temptation to exploit a tragedy for sensationalist purposes.

Conclusion: A Dark Moment in Media Discourse

The comments made on Good Morning Britain about Charlie Kirk’s tragic death have exposed a deeper issue within the media landscape: the growing difficulty of having respectful and constructive political conversations. Whether the remarks were intended to spark debate or simply shock the audience, they have led to widespread outrage, highlighting the dangers of allowing divisive rhetoric to dominate public discussions—especially when discussing the loss of life.

As this controversy unfolds, it serves as a reminder that words matter, particularly when speaking about the deceased. For the viewers and fans who have been impacted, it’s clear that the media must handle such sensitive issues with the utmost care moving forward.