Ofcom slams subtitle blunders that turn toddlers into Ayatollahs

Ofcom says people relying on live subtitles have an 'inferior' experience to other viewers Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Subtitling mistakes that transformed toddlers into Ayatollahs, confused sources with sauces and changed 'they need a mum' into 'they need a man' have been highlighted in a report by Ofcom.

The communications watchdog cited other blunders that resulted in Star Wars character Princess Leia being called 'Present Cesc lay ya' and lemon transcribed as 'lepl on'.

Ofcom said 155 BBC shows and 53 ITV programmes like The Jeremy Kyle Show, The Graham Norton Show and Top Gear needed live subtitling.

Ofcom said people relying on live subtitles had an 'inferior' experience to other viewers.

David Blunkett has taken up the issue in the past Credit: Nina Olsen/Empics Entertainment/PA

Former home secretary David Blunkett has taken up the issue in the past when he quoted an example from football commentary where Manchester United's Patrice Evra's challenge on an opponent was rendered as 'the Arsenal player has been fouled by a zebra'.

The BBC says since the 2013 figures were published it have made considerable improvements and accuracy is at 99%.