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Ofcom said that Channel 4 did not breach its programming guidelines with 'Shattered', which was presented by Dermot O'Leary and walked a fine line between promising viewers the excitement of seeing the contestants descend into paranoia and delusion, but also saying that their health was of the utmost importance.

Complaints from the public concerned the effects of sleep deprivation on the contestants, as well as the premise of the series itself, and there was also criticism that it made light of the use of sleep deprivation torture by corrupt regimes.

Channel 4 had ensured that a doctor was on hand 24 hours a day during filming and an ethics board, consisting of a sleep expert, a doctor, a psychiatrist and a health and safety adviser, was convened to advise on ethical issues surrounding the show.

The station told Ofcom that it acknowledged there were certain risks but that the advice from medical experts was scrupulously adhered to and the overriding objective was to ensure the well-being of the participants at all time.

It also argued, on the point of torture, that the purpose of the show was to provide a scientific insight into the physiological effects of sleep deprivation albeit in an entertaining format. Channel 4 reported that medical experts were delighted with the findings that resulted from the show.

Ofcom ruled that 'Shattered' did not breach guidelines stating that individuals should not be exploited needlessly or cause unnecessary distress.

In a statement Ofcom said: "Having considered the intention behind the programme, Channel 4's explanation of the procedures in place to protect the participants and the expert medical opinions, we concluded that there had been no breach of the code."

The programme was broadcast in January, with 19-year-old trainee police officer Clare Southern walking away with £97,000 in prize money.

Last year the Independent Television Commission cleared Channel 4's live broadcast of the magician Derren Brown's 'Russian Roulette' of complaints that it was in bad taste. Despite a vast amount of coverage in the media only eight people complained about trailers of the show and another eight complained about the broadcast.

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