BBC DEFENDS GAY TORCHWOOD

The BBC has defended its sci-fi show Torchwood after apparently receiving complaints that it is “too gay”.

“We’ve received complaints from some viewers who feel there is too much gay content in Torchwood,” said the broadcaster in a statement.

Torchwood, a spin-off of the classic Doctor Who franchise, debuted in 2006 and features openly gay actor John Barrowman playing the bisexual intergalactic hero Captain Jack Harkness.

“We have strict Editorial Guidelines which govern the content of our programmes, and Torchwood is no exception,” said the BBC.

“These clearly state: ‘In all BBC output the portrayal of sex, or the exploration of sexual issues, should be editorially justified and treated with appropriate sensitivity.

“Captain Jack Harkness is an established character in the series. The audience over the previous series of Torchwood have known him to be promiscuous and bi-sexual so we felt the content was justified in terms of the context and characters 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,” said the broadcaster.

Last month, some fans complained that the BBC chose to cut a sex scene between Harkness and a barman in the current fourth season of the show.