Nigel Farage returned to his 7pm slot on GB News this week (Image: GB News)
Nigel Farage has sparked major Ofcom complaints just days after reprising his 7pm GB News show. The Reform UK leader initially stepped away from hosting on the programme in March to focus on local and parliamentary campaigns. The politician confirmed his comeback on social media by resharing a post from GB News on X/Twitter and adding: “After 6 long months, I am back on GB News! Make sure you are tuned in at 7pm every Tuesday – Thursday to hear unscripted debate and my unfiltered views on the stories of the day.”
On Wednesday (September 16), Farage was joined by former Tory chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and investigative journalist David Shipley to discuss the Chagos Islands, the Piddington vote and Andy Burnham‘s response to the locals. As the show was in full swing, some viewers took to social media with complaints, as one addressed the UK’s official media regulator for clarification on the rules.
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The politician sparked a major Ofcom row live on air (Image: GB News)
Taking to X, one furious viewer questioned: “Dear [Ofcom], Please can you clarify to the nation why this is allowed under your current broadcasting rules? A sitting MP [sometimes] on a TV channel he partly owns, delivering a party political broadcast on behalf of Reform UK? Seriously … WTF?”
Another followed suit: “[@Ofcom], why are there no rules preventing this? If other MPs start adopting this approach, the long-term impact on democratic trust will be catastrophic. Action is needed before this becomes standard practice.”
A third remarked: “I truly do not understand how this is legal. Ofcom, this Farage GBNews nightly platform is shameful. The other parties do not enjoy such an advantage; I cannot understand why this is permitted. It is very unfair,” fumed one.
Despite the backlash, one fan defended the Clacton MP and stated: “Nigel Farage owns a small minority stake in GB News. While he is a shareholder, he is not a primary owner: his shares represent less than 1% of the company’s total voting stock.”
However, in 2024, Ofcom confirmed that Farage would be allowed to present his GB News programme during the general election campaign. At the time, the media regulator said there was no clear consensus among the British public to stop politicians from presenting shows on news channels.
Last year, GB News won its judicial review of Ofcom‘s decisions that two shows hosted by former MP, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, breached the broadcasting code. This marked the first time the watchdog has lost such a case, as the High Court judgment, handed down by Mrs Justice Collins Rice, concluded that Ofcom’s rulings were unlawful.
The judgement said Ofcom’s initial rulings – that the 9 May and 13 June 2023 broadcasts were in breach of its codes on “due impartiality and due accuracy in news” – were unlawful.
Farage Sparks Ofcom Complaints Just Two Days After GB News Return
Nigel Farage has found himself at the centre of a fresh broadcasting controversy just two days after returning to his presenting role on GB News. The Reform UK leader’s comeback was quickly followed by complaints from viewers questioning whether a serving politician should be able to host a television programme while also leading a political party and holding a stake in the broadcaster.
The dispute has reignited a familiar debate about impartiality, political influence and the boundaries between journalism and campaigning. For Farage, the return to television offers a powerful platform to discuss the issues shaping British politics. For his critics, however, it raises uncomfortable questions about whether all political parties have a fair opportunity to reach the public.
The complaints reported after his September 2026 return do not, by themselves, establish that broadcasting rules have been broken. They do demonstrate how controversial the arrangement remains, particularly at a time when Reform UK is seeking to strengthen its position in British politics. <Cite refs={[“turn108302search0″,”turn108302search2”]}/>
Farage Returns to His GB News Programme
Farage stepped away from presenting his regular programme in March to concentrate on political and parliamentary campaigning. In September, he announced his return, telling followers on social media that he would again appear at 7pm from Tuesday to Thursday.
His comeback was promoted as an opportunity for viewers to hear unscripted debate and his views on the day’s major stories. The programme gives Farage a prominent role in the national conversation, allowing him to address subjects such as immigration, public spending, the economy and the performance of the government.
For a politician whose public profile has been built partly through direct communication with voters, television remains an important political tool. A regular programme allows him to respond quickly to developments, challenge opponents and reinforce the themes at the centre of Reform UK’s agenda.
The format also provides a route to audiences who may not regularly watch parliamentary debates or follow party press conferences. Television can make complicated political arguments accessible, although the way those arguments are presented can influence how viewers understand the issues.
That combination of political leadership and broadcasting is precisely what makes Farage’s role controversial. <Cite refs={[“turn108302search0″,”turn108302news16”]}/>
Why Viewers Contacted Ofcom
The complaints reported after Farage’s return focused on whether a serving MP and party leader should be able to present a programme on a channel in which he holds a financial interest.
Some viewers questioned whether the arrangement gave Reform UK an advantage over its political rivals. Their concern was that a party leader who regularly appears in a presenting role could use the programme to promote political positions while benefiting from the credibility and visibility associated with television broadcasting.
One complaint, as quoted in reporting about the controversy, asked the regulator to explain why the arrangement was permitted under the existing rules. Other social media users raised concerns about fairness and the possible long-term consequences for trust in political broadcasting. <Cite refs={[“turn108302search0″,”turn108302search2”]}/>
It is important to distinguish between a complaint and a regulatory finding. Anyone can raise a concern with Ofcom, but the existence of complaints does not automatically mean that the broadcaster or presenter has violated the rules.
Ofcom must assess broadcasting content against its code and the relevant legal framework. The regulator’s role is not simply to prohibit programmes because they feature politicians with strong opinions. Instead, it must consider the nature of the programme, the subject matter, the way the material is presented and whether the applicable standards have been met.
The controversy therefore raises a genuine question about broadcasting policy, but it does not establish that Farage’s latest programme has been found in breach of the rules.