Boyle's 'vile' joke about Price's son to be probed

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into Scots comic Frankie Boyle's show after Katie Price complained about a joke he made about her disabled son.

Price accused the comic of being a "bully" after comments about her son Harvey, who has septo-optic dysplasia and autism, on his show Tramadol Nights.

A spokesman for Ofcom said: "We can confirm that we have received a complaint from Katie Price. Having considered this and other viewers' concerns, we have launched an investigation into the show."

Price said yesterday that she had asked her lawyers to contact the watchdog if Channel 4 did not apologise.

A spokeswoman for the channel said: "Channel 4 has replied directly to Katie Price's lawyer. Given this has now gone to Ofcom, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

On her website yesterday, Price described her son as "a little miracle". She continued: "If Mr Boyle had a tenth of his courage and decency he would know that to suggest, let alone think funny, that Harvey may sexually attack me is vile and deeply unfair.

"To bully this unbelievably brave child is despicable, to broadcast it on television is to show a complete and utter lack of judgment."

A message at the beginning of Boyle's programme, broadcast on Tuesday night, warned viewers the show contained "very strong language and uncompromising adult content".

Ofcom is likely to consider whether the show broke sections of the Broadcasting Code about "generally accepted standards" of material.