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Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is hit by string of complaints including too many women competitors, swearing, sex, violence and bad driving

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV has 6.1million viewers
Last month Ofcom received 55 complaints about one episode of the show
Viewers complained there were 'too many women' in one of competitions
Same episode slammed by fans for rewarding 'fraudster' with a free cruise

Published: 17:07 GMT, 21 March 2016 | Updated: 19:54 GMT, 21 March 2016

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Last month 55 complaints were made about just one episode of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway including accusations the show had 'too many women' taking part in a competition.

Three viewers contacted regulator Ofcom to accuse the show of discrimination, claiming it only ever picks women to take part in the 'Win the Ads' segment.

Another two complaints said it was dangerous for the show, which has 6.1million viewers, to film someone driving badly while singing and holding a mobile phone.

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Last month 55 complaints were made about just one episode of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV including accusations the show had too many women taking part in a competition (file image)

Other complaints included one viewer saying the show promoted violence after Dec threatened to 'smash Ant's face in' while another viewer took issue with the 'sexual tone' after the pair discussed the fact they recently came sixth in a poll of men women fantasise about.

A viewer complained about the presenters encouraging children to discuss how to make money from taking selfies.

Ofcom said a complaint about 'offensive language' is 'under assessment' after Italian celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo was encouraged to say the word 'sheet' several times.

The episode of the popular show, which was broadcast on February 27, was also slammed by fans at the time it aired for rewarding a 'fraudster' with a free cruise.

Ofcom said a complaint about 'offensive language' is 'under assessment' after Gino D'Acampo was encouraged to say the word 'sheet' several times

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was slammed by fans for awarding a 'fraudster' with a free cruise

Two complaints said it was dangerous for the show, which has 6.1million viewers, to film someone driving badly while singing and holding a mobile phone (pictured)

The Geordie duo introduced a segment of the show called 'Coronation Deceit' in which Andrea Murdoch admitted she faked an injury in work in order to take a three month holiday.

Outraged fans took to social media after the show aired to express shock and disbelief at the prize for the trickster

The ITV show awarded Andrea with a Mediterranean cruise - much to the chagrin of a selection of the 6.1million viewers.

One disgruntled viewer wrote: 'Signing back onto twitter as I can't believe such an awful person/ fraudster would be rewarded with a cruise!'

The Italian celebrity chef was taking part in the 'Get me out of ear' prank on the show - but some failed to see the funny side

The ITV show then gave Andrea a Mediterranean cruise - much to the chagrin of a selection of viewers online

Sharing in the dismay, another social media user added: 'Having checked the [Saturday Night Takeaway] hashtag I'm pleased it's not just me who can't believe that woman was rewarded with a place on a cruise'!'

Another wrote: 'I love Saturday Night Takeaway but giving a free holiday to a lady who faked illness for 3 months and lied to work is taking the p*** #SNT'

A viewer complained about the presenters encouraging children to discuss how to make money from taking selfies

Some 55 complaints were made about this one episode of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

An Ofcom spokesman said today: 'We assessed 56 complaints objecting to a woman being rewarded with a holiday after a story about her lying to her employer. However, we won't be investigating.

'The award of the prize was an editorial decision by ITV. We did not believe that the sequence condoned such behaviour generally.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.