BRITAIN:The Brit awards' return to live broadcasting on Wednesday night sparked hundreds of complaints about host Russell Brand's risque jokes.
ITV1 had received around 300 calls and e-mails from irate viewers by yesterday morning, and they were continuing to flood in.
First-time host Brand, known for his near-the-knuckle humour, poked fun at the queen, Tory leader David Cameron and pop star Robbie Williams. He also shocked the audience with a joke about a "friendly fire" incident in Iraq.
Brand opened the show by joking about allegations that Conservative leader David Cameron smoked cannabis as a schoolboy."It's the best anti-drugs message," he joked. "Don't take drugs or you'll end up leader of the Tories."
ITV1 said it was happy with Brand's performance. "Russell was an edgy host for an edgy live event. It worked well but obviously we apologise for any offence caused," a spokesman said.