Hundreds of viewers have complained to the BBC about explicit homosexual sex on one of its flagship programmes.
More than 500 viewers complained to the broadcaster about scenes in last week’s episode of the popular sci-fi show Torchwood, branding the scenes as “pointless” and irrelevant.
Viewers also expressed their opinions online. One viewer said: “This show is meant to be a sci-fi show. I had to turn it off as my grandson, an avid sci-fi fan, was in the room.
Disgusted
“I am sure both myself and others are disgusted at last night’s show.”
Another viewer said: “The homosexual content is totally out of proportion and so we have decided not to watch any more.”
The controversial content was shown on last Thursday’s episode of the BBC One show.
Watershed
David Turtle, a spokesman for Mediawatch UK, said: “The BBC will say the programme is being shown after the 9pm watershed.
“But it doesn’t alter the fact that the programme is watched by a lot of young people and is easily accessible on iPlayer at any time of the day.
“I think the BBC risks losing face with the audience who will become increasingly disconnected from what they see on screen.”
Viewers
The BBC has previously defended the content of the series, saying: “We felt the content was justified in terms of the context and character and would be within the expectations of regular viewers.
“We aim to depict relationships, whether heterosexual or homosexual, in an honest and realistic way. These scenes are not meant to cause offence.”
Earlier this year the BBC’s own research found that the Corporation is widely regarded as displaying an anti-Christian attitude in its programming.