BBC chiefs reject Jerry Springer complaints

BBC governors have voted not to uphold any of the 62,000 complaints against the controversial broadcast of Jerry Springer: The Opera.

Members of the Governors' Programme Complaints Committee today announced they have voted to back the BBC over its decision to go ahead with the show.

It was screened in January amid uproar from Christian groups, and prompted an unprecedented number of complaints - most of them over scenes of alleged blasphemy, including the portrayal of Jesus as a man in nappies who is a "little bit gay" and the image of Eve attempting to fondle his genitals.

The committee found that "reasonable and comprehensive attempts" were made to "minimise" offence through the programme's scheduling at 10pm and clear warnings beforehand.

The ruling does not signal the end of the Springer furore. A judicial review of the decision to screen the show, brought by the Christian Institute, continues.

Watchdog Ofcom will now hold its own independent adjudication of the broadcast.