TV quiz rapped by censors

A TV watchdog has rapped BBC sports quiz They Think It's All Over after panellists went too far in remarks they made about public figures.

The risque brand of humour on the show, which is now in its 10th series, has got programme-makers into hot water on several occasions in the past year.

The most recent complaints came following an episode screened in June.

Two viewers complained to the Broadcasting Standards Commission about offensive remarks concerning public figures.

It follows an incident last year, when programme makers were forced to pay undisclosed damages to former Olympic athlete Fatima Whitbread after remarks made about her on the show.

Host Nick Hancock and panellists, Rory McGrath, Gary Lineker, Jonathan Ross and David Gower often target people in the public eye with their "laddish" humour.

Responding to the latest complaints, the BBC said the "ribald" tone of the programme was well known, even if it was not to everyone's taste.

A spokesman added: "Part of the appeal was that the humour, especially about celebrities went very close to the edge of acceptability.

"This edition however, did overstep the mark. The references were explicit rather than suggestive and the BBC regretted any offence caused."

In upholding the complaints the Broadcasting Standards Commission ruled that while the show was known for its "laddish" humour, on this occasion the personally offensive nature of the remarks and the insistent sexual theme had exceeded the acceptable boundaries for broadcast.

The commission also upheld a complaint against The Big Breakfast regarding distasteful and obscene remarks about a Russian man who had been eaten by his killer.

It ruled that the programme had exceeded the acceptable boundaries for broadcast.

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