ITV viewers have slammed a new comedy series, branding it as ‘absolutely disgraceful’.
The show launched earlier this month but has received overwhelming criticism from TV watchers since debuting.
Piglets stars Sarah Parish and Mark Heap as Superintendent Julie Spry and Superintendent Bob Weekes, who are overseeing the next batch of police recruits.
Many viewers have been unimpressed with the programme, with some saying they wish to complain to Ofcom.
Taking to X, one person wrote: “I have just watched the first episode of Piglets. As a former Police Officer of 30 years I have to say that not only is the title offensive, the content is insulting.”
Another added: “ITV how disgusting that you can justify calling a new series about police recruits “Piglets””.
Meanwhile, a third viewer remarked: “I served for 27 years and was called a “Pig” on several occasions when trying to protect the public. This is insulting to both serving and retired officers. Shame on you.”
A fourth commented: “This is absolutely disgraceful, using the term “piglets” as the show’s name is diabolical.
“Officers on a day-to-day basis have to go through abuse from members of the public using terminology similar the title.
“For you to think this is acceptable is beyond me.”
Yet another person penned: “Piglets. Extremely offensive to all serving and retired police officers”, while calling for Ofcom to “address the title with ITV.”
A further viewer queried: “#Piglets how did this get commissioned? It’s probably the worst ever show.”
Someone else described the programme as “harmless fun with lots of adult jokes and laugh out loud moments”, but added that the show was “nothing demanding on the brain”.
Weeks earlier, the show’s title faced criticism from the Police Federation, who described it as “disgusting.”
Tiffany Lynch, Acting National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said the name of the show was “inflammatory against a landscape of rising threats and violence against officers”.
Mukund Krishna, the organisation’s chief executive, said it would be writing to Ofcom and demanding a change.
Alongside Sarah and Mark, the cast includes Rebecca Humphries as Head of Admin Melanie.
Ukweli Roach and former EastEnders star Ricky Champ (who played Stuart Highway) portray police trainers Mike and Daz.
Starring as the recruits are Callie Cooke (Steph), Sam Pote (Leggo), Sukh Kaur Ojla (Geeta), Abdul Sessay (Dev), Afia (Halema Hussain) and Paul (Jamie Bisping).
All six episodes of Piglets are available to watch on ITVX.
