The third series of Channel 4’s of Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners has started again and we’re disappointed to see that many of the concerns we’ve raised with the producers remain unchanged.

We know the series has provoked a strong reaction, and met with Betty TV, the production company, in July to feed back our supporters’ views and our own, ahead of series 3.

Unfortunately, series 3 continues to add to the misunderstanding that there is about OCD. For example, it fuels the myths that OCD is all about cleaning, and that anyone who likes things to be neat and tidy can be “a little bit OCD.” It doesn’t address the thoughts and anxieties which drive compulsive behaviour in OCD, or show how complex and debilitating a condition OCD can be.

While we believe that entertainment shows can also challenge stereotypes about mental health, in this case the whole concept of Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners is too simplistic for it to do this.
 

We complained directly to the production company and Channel 4 after the first episode of the new series. We'll continue to feed back both our and our supporters' views, and encourage you to let Channel 4 know directly what you think of the programme too.