X Factor escapes phone vote fine

The show's phone provider could have been fined up to £250,000 but was instead reprimanded by phone watchdogs after overcharging viewers £200,000 in an interactive phone blunder.

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The X-scape factor: The show's chiefs escaped a large fine following a vote scandal which left a million viewers out of pocket

X Factor was one of several TV shows under fire in the furore, which erupted when it emerged viewers were asked to call premium rate lines on Richard and Judy's You Say, We Pay competition after the competition had closed.

ITV pledged to donate the extra revenue, made by charging X Factor viewers who pressed the red button on their remote controls 50p instead of 30p, to Childline.

Icstis said it was imposing a formal reprimand instead of a fine as an incentive for broadcasters to come forward when they found errors.

It added that ITV admitted the breach and took immediate steps to remedy it, it approached Icstis of its own accord once the problem was discovered, there were no public complaints and there was no financial gain from the breach because of the donation to charity.

ITV had also examined its premium rate procedures and made changes to prevent future mistakes, it said.

Icstis said it would be seeking confirmation that ITV had made its donation to charity. Several broadcasters have been tarnished by the phone quiz scandal.

Five admitted some of its competition winners were faked on the daily lunchtime show Brainteaser, and Icstis is also investigating Richard and Judy, the BBC's Saturday Kitchen, and allegations against Vernon Kay's Gameshow Marathon.

The watchdog could call in the police if its investigation into the TV shows shows any evidence of criminal activity.