More than 2,000 viewers complain to Ofcom after Channel 4 News presenter Jon ...

Channel 4 News host Jon Snow's remark that he had 'never seen so many white people in one place' has sparked more than 2,000 complaints. 

The veteran 71-year-old presenter was signing off from Friday evening's Channel 4 News bulletin when he made the controversial comment.

He was referring, during the live broadcast, to the pro-Brexit protesters who brought Westminster to a standstill. 

'It's been the most extraordinary day,' he said. 'A day which has seen ... I have never seen so many white people in one place, it's an extraordinary story.

'There are people everywhere, there are crowds everywhere.'

Channel 4 has been forced to apologise after news anchor Jon Snow, 71, said he had ‘never seen so many white people in one place’ while reporting on a pro-Brexit rally

Channel 4 has been forced to apologise after news anchor Jon Snow, 71, said he had 'never seen so many white people in one place' while reporting on a pro-Brexit rally

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it had received 2,025 complaints and is deciding whether to investigate.

The high level of objections to the comment would place the show as the fifth most complained about, when compared to the numbers from Ofcom's most complained about shows in 2018.

The show which drew the most complaints was Celebrity Big Brother (27, 602), followed by Loose Women (8,002), Sky News (4,251), Love Island (4, 192).

The next on the list is Coronation Street, but that only has 1,098 complaints compared to Jon Snow's 2,025. 

An Ofcom spokeswoman said: 'We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.'

The remarks drew criticism online from some viewers who described the comments about 'white people' as unnecessary.

In a statement, Channel 4 News said it regretted any offence caused.

'This was an unscripted observation at the very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments,' a spokeswoman said.

'Jon has covered major events such as this over a long career and this was a spontaneous comment reflecting his observation that, in a London demonstration of that size, ethnic minorities seemed to be significantly under-represented.

'We regret any offence caused by his comment.'  

His comments provoked a furious reaction on social media.

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