Most of us enjoy a good practical joke – particularly when we’re not at the end of it.

But, where do we draw a line and determine what’s funny and what’s below the belt?

After all, one person’s idea of humour is very different to the next.

However, whatever it is that makes each person giggle isn’t there a point at which morals and ethics should come into account?

Take the latest prank call incident involving DJs from an Australian radio station and the Duchess of Cambridge. Surely, the fact that this issue is highly sensitive and involves someone’s health would suggest it might not be an appropriate joke?

Now not only are jobs on the line but the sandal has taken a further dark twist, with reports stating that the receptionist involved has committed suicide (http://tinyurl.com/csc546q).

Another example of a joke gone wrong was Russell Brand’s call to Andrew Sachs on the Jonathan Ross Show, with Brand’s indecent claims costing Wossy and Brand their jobs.

These examples certainly highlight how a bad taste coup can easily turn into a bad case #PR disaster.

With the entertainment industry highly competitive, of course the delivery of unique content is high on the agenda to help boost audience ratings.

Yet irrespective of this, first and foremost is that those in the public eye have a responsibility to question how their actions could impact on those involved, and ultimately, whether the laugh is really worth the repercussions.

Ends