'Torchwood' gay scenes not meant to cause offence, says BBC

The BBC has responded to complaints that Torchwood: Miracle Day features "too much gay content".

The fourth series of the sci-fi show, a co-production between the BBC and cable network Starz, has attracted criticism from some viewers who are unhappy with the material.

"We've received complaints from some viewers who feel there is too much gay content in Torchwood," the corporation said. "We have strict editorial guidelines which govern the content of our programmes, and Torchwood is no exception."

The official response, published on the BBC Complaints website, highlighted the relevant section of the guidelines, which states: "In all BBC output the portrayal of sex, or the exploration of sexual issues, should be editorially justified and treated with appropriate sensitivity.

"In post-watershed content, we must be able to justify the frank and realistic portrayal of sex and the exploration of themes and issues which some people might find offensive."

The BBC explained that the audience have known John Barrowman's "established character" Captain Jack Harkness "to be promiscuous and bi-sexual", explaining that "we felt the content was justified in terms of the context and characters and would be within the expectations of regular viewers".

It concluded: "We aim to depict relationships whether heterosexual or homosexual in an honest and realistic way. These scenes are not meant to cause offence."

The BBC previously defended the decision to cut a sex scene from episode three of the current ten-part series. However, it was confirmed that a "sequence of gay sex" from a later episode will be broadcast.

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Watch John Barrowman talking to Digital Spy about Torchwood below: