ITV's Corrie cleared over Kunta Kinte race row after Ofcom rules controversial comment did not breach rules

  • Coronation Street episode aired sparked 472 complaints to TV watchdog 
  • Character Eva Price said her hair had 'more roots than Kunta Kinte'
  • Comment divided opinion with offended viewers branding it 'racist'
  • Ofcom investigated but today ruled the episode did not breach the code 

By Stephanie Linning for MailOnline

Published: 10:10 EST, 21 November 2016 | Updated: 16:38 EST, 21 November 2016

An episode of Coronation Street which sparked hundreds of complaints over claims of racism did not breach the broadcasting code, the TV watchdog has ruled.  

Ofcom investigated an episode broadcast on ITV in August in which a character described her hair as having 'more roots than Kunta Kinte'.

The remark refers to Roots, the novel by American author Alex Haley, which features an 18th century African slave of that name. A 1977 TV miniseries based on the book was a global sensation. 

The comment sparked an online backlash, with outraged viewers branding it 'racist' and 'culturally insensitive'. Ofcom also received 472 complaints about the episode. 

The 'Kunta Kinte' remark was made as the character Eva Price, played by Catherine Tyldesley, 32, paid a visit to a hair salon. She said her hair had 'more roots than Kunta Kinte'

Today it published a ruling saying the comment did not breach the code, in a decision that is likely to outrage those who were offended by the original episode.

The 'Kunta Kinte' remark was made as the character Eva Price, played by Catherine Tyldesley, 32, paid a visit to a hair salon.

Looking in the mirror at her dyed hair, she said: 'I have more roots than Kunta Kinte. No idea who that is, by the way, just something my mum used to say.' 

Some viewers were quick to criticise the comment on Twitter. Olivia Brown wrote: '2016 and you wonder why there is a rise in hate crime, racial inequality & xenophobia with @itvcorrie utilising oppression as flippant humor [sic].' 

The Slavery Remembrance organisation wrote: '@ITV would you script "I've got more secrets than Anne Frank's diary"? Thought not. Racial bias #blacklivesmatter #coronationstreet'. 

The remark refers to Roots, which features an 18th century African slave called Kunta Kinte. A 1977 TV miniseries based on the book, starring LeVar Burton, pictured, was a global sensation

But some did not think the comment was offensive, with a number taking to Twitter in defence of the show's script.

The regulator investigated whether the remark breached the section of the broadcast code which states 'broadcasters must ensure that material which may cause offence is justified by context'. 

It adds: 'Appropriate information should also be broadcast where it would assist in avoiding or minimising offence.'   

ITV said Eva Price's light-hearted play on the word 'roots' was both a reference to her dyed blonde hair needing to be retouched and the title of the US historical drama, Roots.

At the time, the comment sparked an online backlash, with outraged viewers branding it 'racist' and 'culturally insensitive'. Ofcom also received 472 complaints about the episode

It said that as Eva used the comment without understanding its meaning, this reflected 'her slightly foolish and shallow character'.

Ofcom also noted that ITV had apologised to viewers and had mitigated the potential offence caused to viewers.  

In a statement, the regulator said that it took the view that 'this potentially offensive material was justified by the context' and therefore was 'not in breach of the code'.  

Some viewers did not think the comment was offensive and defended the script on Twitter

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