The Bishop of Manchester, Rev Nigel McCulloch, has criticised the BBC for its plans to screen the controversial stage musical ‘Jerry Springer the Opera’. Starring former ‘Starsky & Hutch’ favourite David Soul as chat show host Jerry Springer, the controversial musical is reported to contain constant offensive expletives, blasphemous scenes and debauched behaviour.

Rev Nigel McCoulloch, the Church of England’s leading spokesman on broadcasting said, "Freedom of expression is not the issue here, since the show already runs on the stage. On a publicly-funded service channel, my worry is that this outrageous opera is a major departure from viewers’ current expectations, as it is evidently highly offensive material. In addition, I believe the timing of the Broadcast at 10pm, with a trailer Programme at 9pm on a Saturday evening, is professionally irresponsible. At these late times, many older children may be drawn into watching it."

The Rt Reverend emphasised, "I have made my views clear to the BBC and, in the interests of informed discussion, have asked if they might be prepared to let me see a tape prior to broadcast. Sadly, they have refused that request."

The Reverend joins a growing mass of 15,000 other complainants, bombarding the Corporation with further Protests.

"Despite the huge number of Complaints, this Programme will still go ahead..." said a BBC Spokeswoman. "Yes, the number of protests are a lot I suppose" she added, "as a public service broadcaster, it’s the BBC’s role to air a range of programmes that will appeal to all audiences. We always need to cater for the wide differing tastes and interests, currently present in the UK today. As a precaution, an official warning concerning the language will be announced just before the programme starts and it will be broadcast well after the watershed."

The BBC has defended the programme describing it as a "boundary-breaking show".

A spokesman for the Heaton Chapel Christian Church in Stockport said: "We just wanted to add our voice to the widespread protest. We do find it offensive that a programme with such blasphemous content is to be allowed to be aired on television. Why is it acceptable to blaspheme the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in this way, when we are so sensitive to other religious beliefs?"

The show - based on the notorious Jerry Springer US talk show - has received numerous awards.
Parishioner Mary Rochford, 76, from Heaton Chapel, has already made an official complaint to the BBC. She said: "If this programme was about another religion it would be big news. It is just terrible. I know people of a Christian faith will feel the same..."