Billy Connolly Fails To Get Off Scot Free

The Broadcasting Standards Council’s Complaints Bulletin has published it complaints bulletin for March.

Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Australia received 75 complaints from viewers about bad language. Connolly is known for his foul tongue, his previous series based on a tour of Scotland received complaints, but the Council rejected them. This time round the comedian was not so lucky.

The Australian series was broadcast an hour after the watershed and the BBC did warn viewers to expect bad language prior to each broadcast. The Council, however, decided that this series was presented in a much harsher and more aggressive manner than the previous series had been. It was felt that this series had a more offensive impact than the previous one and that the audience must have agreed as this series led to 75 complaints, more than twice the number received about the Scottish series. The complaints were, therefore, upheld.

This is the last bulletin to be produced by the Council as it will merge with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in April. The new organisation, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, will takeover the Council’s offices at 7 The Sanctuary London SW1P 3JS.

Broadcasting Standards Council: 0171 233 0544