THE HOST OF ITV’s This Morning has lashed out at people complaining over “minor outrages” like his show’s 50 Shades of Grey-inspired “bondage for beginners” slot.

UK communications watchdog Ofcom received 120 complaints about the morning TV episode last month, which coincided with the release of the film into cinemas.

But host Phillip Schofield said the show had “always pushed the boundaries” and people had taken to complaining to the regulator for “any minor outrage”.

“I think for me, and it’s my own personal belief, but in the old days, people would pick up the phone and complain or they’d write a letter,” he told the Press Association.

But now they go to Ofcom and they must be sick to death of all of this.”

The This Morning segment featured a “sexpert” explaining toys like nipple clamps and masks while two bed-bound models demonstrated some of the tools.

The show has previously run slots on unusual subjects including vagina facials – or “vagacials” (we kid you not).

‘Saved countless lives’

Schofield said the bondage segment featured “very innocent stuff” and behind the closed doors of “middle England” people were already buying the goods en-masse.

He said the show had pushed the boundaries with segments on Viagra, and testicular and breast cancer examinations – features which had “saved countless lives”.

Obviously I’m not saying the bondage is going to save anyone’s life but what we did was reflect on what everyone else was doing or talking about at the time.”

READ: Schoolboy’s teachers not impressed with his 50 Shades of Grey costume >

READ: ‘Broadcasting isn’t as bad as politics’: Life behind the scenes at RTÉ >

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