Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan also stood by the programme, and denied it would harm the channel's campaign to secure new funds from the government.

BBC: Race row 'saved dull Big Brother'

Andy Duncan, its new chief executive, says the situation needs addressing now, not in five years' time as the media regulator, Ofcom, said in a review of public-service broadcasting in September.

ECONOMIST: Television

The Ospreys won two of their three Magners League Welsh derbies with 10 players on their injury list, including internationals Shane Williams, Huw Bennett, Ian Evans, Duncan Jones, Nikki Walker and Andy Lloyd.

BBC: Ospreys set for assault on treble

Nikki Walker, Duncan Jones, Ian Evans, Ben Lewis and Andy Lloyd remain long-term Ospreys casualties, while Jonathan Spratt and Gareth Owen should return in the new year.

BBC: Ospreys v Scarlets (Sat)

Veteran Bath prop David Barnes and uncapped forwards Richard Blaze and Courtney Lawes have been called up, while fly-half Andy Goode, scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth, winger David Strettle, back-rower James Haskell and prop Duncan Bell all join the elite squad.

BBC: Fourie ready for England - Back