Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins have already caused outrage in only the second episode of their new daytime ITV show. The show was due to close with Ozzy, a dog who liked to walk along a tightrope. Ozzy tried to do it but as the presenters looked on anxiously fell once and then at his second attempt he took a tumble and slipped off the rope just as he was about to reach the end and retrieve a squeezy toy. 

The dog was clearly unharmed but viewers took to Twitter to complain about the item. Among the comments SarahLouise3686 wrote “Shame on @melandsue show for featuring the tightrope walking dog. Poor thing. It was cruel”. Laura Collins Randall wrote “Animal cruelty does not make good TV”. The account Jolly Good Causes advised viewers who were unhappy to complain to Ofcom.

A picture posted online of the dog playing happily after the broadcast may have reassured viewers that Ozzy was OK, but this might not have been the coverage the duo wanted for a show that is due to run for the next six weeks.

The series got off to a wobbly start itself yesterday and there were more awkward moments today. Early on in the show when something fell off the sofa Sue Perkins referred to Chinese love eggs. The programme goes out live every day at 4pm. Here is a review of the first episode.