Only Connect is a quiz programme where teams earn points by finding a connection between a number of clues.  In between rounds it is common for host Victoria Coren Mitchell to comment about interesting aspects of the clues and the correct answer she is looking for.  In the first episode in question she gave one of the teams a number of clues, the connection being they were the titles of Roald Dahl’s first four novels.  After giving the correct answer to the contestants she gave some supplementary information about the author including antisemitic remarks he had made in an interview in 1983.

In the second episode the clues concerned the reserved positions in national legislatures in countries including Iran.  While explaining the connection Ms Coren Mitchell said that in the case of Iran there are places for six Islamic law experts reserved “at time of recording. Maybe there will have been regime change in Iran by the time this goes out. We can live in hope”.  Two viewers complained one or both these remarks were in breach of the BBC’s   commitment to due impartiality, in the case of Roald Dahl because it was made in the midst of the conflict in Gaza.  However the ECU considered the remarks were linked to quiz questions and presenter was not under the same obligations of impartiality as news or current affairs journalists.  

Not Upheld