X Factor judge Dannii Minogue sparked a flood of complaints after she made a comment which some viewed as an assault of the sexuality of a participant on the popular TV show.

Ofcom, the media regulator in the UK, claims to have received 3,885 complaints from members of the public about the Australian singer’s commentary hints homing in the sexuality of Danyl Johnson, last Saturday night during the broadcast of the famous X Factor show.

At the source of the controversy is the fact that the young male participant changed some of the lyrics of I’m Telling You, a song by Jennifer Hudson. The lyrics of Hudson’s track talk of a man but Johnson modified his version of the song, so that a woman is sung about.

Following Johnson’s performance, Minogue made a joke with the singer, which many saw as a derogatory remark about the contestant maybe being gay, by saying the lyrics of the track didn’t require a gender change.

Ofcom is considering making a formal investigation to see if Minogue’s comment may be interpreted as breaking the media regulator’s broadcasting code.

At the following night’s show, Minogue unreservedly apologised for her remarks, explaining that she had never wanted to harm anyone.

The Aussie said that she and the contestant had been sharing a joke about the song during rehearsals for the X Factor. Basically, what was a private and humourous matter between two people rapidly became something of national interest because the public had been left out of the loop.

Simon Cowell supported her co-host, testifying to Minogue’s good character.