BBC: 'Doctor Who not anti-ginger'

The BBC has denied suggestions that it is pursuing an "anti-ginger agenda" with Doctor Who.

According to The Times, the broadcaster received complaints after Matt Smith exclaimed "I'm still not ginger" among his first words as the new Doctor.

One mother reportedly said: "I think it is totally inappropriate for The Doctor to make fun of people with ginger hair - it is a programme children watch and I think it will encourage bullying."

However, a BBC statement read: "We've received complaints from viewers who believed a line in Doctor Who: The End of Time was insulting to people with ginger hair.

"We would like to reassure viewers that Doctor Who doesn't have an anti-ginger agenda whatsoever."

It continued: "This was a reprise of the line in 'The Christmas Invasion' episode in 2005, when David Tennant discovers that he's not ginger, and here he is, missing out again - disappointed he's still not ginger.

"In addition, the Doctor's previous companion Donna Noble [Catherine Tate] and his new one Amy Pond [Karen Gillan] are both redheads."