Not so cocky now: Frankie Cocozza to be investigated by Ofcom for his off-screen boozing and on-screen swearing

By Georgina Littlejohn


Trouble: Frankie Cocozza leaves the X Factor last night after finding out he was safe for another week - but he will now be the subject of an Ofcom investigation into his boozing and swearing


He was warned about his off-screen antics by judge Kelly Rowland who suggested that maybe a quiet night in might do him some good.

But it might be too little too late for X Factor's Frankie Cocozza whose
boozing antics and on-screen swearing have prompted a probe by TV regulator Ofcom.

His behaviour has contributed to an investigation of three potential breaches of the programme code by the ITV1 series.


The regulator confirmed today that it is looking into a trio of potential breaches of its rules over the incidents last month.

They will look at whether he fell foul of rules about swearing after he was seen to shout 'f****** have it - get in there', when he learned he was through to the next round of the competition during the October 23 results show.

The watchdog is also looking at a programme the night before in which Cocozza - who has established a reputation as a 'party animal' - was seen on a night out with friends, which may have breached the code's rules on glamorising alcohol use.


Pre-watershed: Frankie was heard swearing on the show two weeks ago when he was told he was through to another week

Rude gesture: Frankie was also seen sticking his finger up at the camera during a recorded segment for the show


And from the same edition of the show, Ofcom will examine a problem with an on-screen contest when multiple choice answers appeared in a different order during the programme.

An apology was broadcast but Ofcom is examining whether the mistake may have fallen foul of its competition rules.

The incidents came less than a month after Ofcom issued new guidance about the watershed, reminding broadcasters to be careful about issues such as bad language in programmes screened prior to 9pm.

Morning after: Frankie was spotted looking tired outside the X Factor house today


Cocozza's four-letter outburst in the live programme came just before the watershed.

The regulator had organised meetings with broadcasters to emphasise their responsibilities in protecting under-18s.

X Factor was specifically cited in a report to accompany the guidance, issued in late September which mentioned the show's 2010 final which featured Christina Aguilera and backing dancers in a racy routine which was described as being 'at the very margin of acceptability' following thousands of complaints.


Setting a bad example: Ofcom said Frankie's off-screen boozing may have breached the code's rules on glamorising alcohol use

Warned: Frankie, seen here going to a pub near the X Factor contestants' house last week, was advised by Kelly Rowland not to go out


Last night, Frankie got through to next week's show despite a rather flat performance of the Black Eyed Peas song I Gotta Feeling, which prompted a chorus of boos from the audience and outrage on Twitter.

Some viewers even claimed the show was a fix after what they thought was a below-par performance from the self-proclaimed lothario.


Crude: On the Xtra Factor last weekend, Frankie felt the need to discuss his recent night out with Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan, and said he had 'banged' her.


Explicit: X Factor came under fire from Ofcom in a report issued in September that said the performance by Christina Aguilera and her backing dancers was 'at the very margin of acceptability'



source:dailymail