The BBC yesterday promised to press ahead with plans to transmit the award-winning West End show Jerry Springer - the Opera this Saturday in the face of concerted complaints by outraged Christians led by the Bishop of Manchester.
The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, who speaks about broadcasting on behalf of the Church of England, complained that the BBC had refused to show him a tape of the show.
He said: "Freedom of expression is not at issue here. My worry is that this programme is a major departure from the current high expectations of viewers regarding offensive material on a publicly funded channel.
"I remain hopeful that the programme is not as described and the BBC will be mindful not only of its duties and responsibilities, but also to its repeated commitments on taste, decency, harm and offence in the past."
The opera is based on the voyeuristic American television show where dysfunctional families parade their differences and sexual proclivities before the host Jerry Springer. It has long been shown on British television.
The fictionalised version, currently in the West End, has been praised by critics - the Guardian's Michael Billington described it as "a mega hit ... easily the hottest ticket in London. In the second half, it features the burning fires of hell where Springer is confronted by God and the devil.
