Ofcom has found that a radio station's appropriately-named Heartless Hotline competition, co-hosted by Brooke Vincent, broke broadcasting rules.
Key 103 - a radio station which airs in Greater Manchester - was hit with complaints over a segment where listeners could call in and explain why they should win a particular prize.
The contest, which was guest co-presented by the Coronation Street actress, rather than being her own regular show, featured a twist where other callers were given the chance to 'steal' the prize for themselves.
Listeners were outraged when one caller [Sarah] rang in to request £2,000 to pay for her divorce and a court order that would let her keep her home - but had the cash taken away by another listener [Leigh], who wanted a holiday.
Ofcom said: "Sarah and Leigh were allowed to confront one another on air and argue about the extent to which each deserved the prize. At one point, this confrontation continued for over 30 seconds without any form of intervention from the presenters.
"We considered that it was likely that this would have increased the level of offence caused to listeners, because the station allowed this confrontation to occur in the first place and then let it continue uninterrupted."
In response, a Key 103 spokesperson told Radio Today: "Following the call from a listener who was seeking to win money to cover legal advice for her divorce, Key 103 put her in touch with a legal firm who offered her £2000 – the equivalent value – of advice free of charge".
There were more complaints about a phone-in two days later, in which another distressed caller wanted £1,000 to pay off a debt so she could get her mother's ashes. Lead presenter Mike Toolan then blocked the studio phone lines to prevent another caller from stealing the prize.
Blocking the phone lines prevented listeners from claiming the prize and ensured it was won by the original entrant. This was again in breach of Ofcom rules.
The competition on Greater Manchester's Key 103 ran from April 18-29, and don't hold your breath for it to return any time soon.
