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Comic Relief archbishop of Canterbury sketch cleared by watchdog Comic Relief archbishop of Canterbury sketch cleared by watchdog
(3 months later)
Rowan Atkinson's Comic Relief sketch, which prompted almost 2,500 complaints to the BBC, has been cleared by Ofcom.Rowan Atkinson's Comic Relief sketch, which prompted almost 2,500 complaints to the BBC, has been cleared by Ofcom.
Atkinson appeared in the sketch as a fictional version of the archbishop of Canterbury, comparing boy band One Direction to Jesus's disciples and saying praying "doesn't work".Atkinson appeared in the sketch as a fictional version of the archbishop of Canterbury, comparing boy band One Direction to Jesus's disciples and saying praying "doesn't work".
The sketch was broadcast before the 9pm watershed on 15 March as part of BBC1's Comic Relief marathon, which raised £75m.The sketch was broadcast before the 9pm watershed on 15 March as part of BBC1's Comic Relief marathon, which raised £75m.
The BBC later apologised for the sketch, in which Atkinson said that Jesus said love your neighbours but "it doesn't mean shag your neighbours", and removed it from the iPlayer catch-up TV service.The BBC later apologised for the sketch, in which Atkinson said that Jesus said love your neighbours but "it doesn't mean shag your neighbours", and removed it from the iPlayer catch-up TV service.
The media regulator investigated the programme on grounds of offensive language and generally accepted standards.The media regulator investigated the programme on grounds of offensive language and generally accepted standards.
Ofcom said that it had decided to clear the sketch because the BBC's intention was to "create humour rather than seriously deride christianity".Ofcom said that it had decided to clear the sketch because the BBC's intention was to "create humour rather than seriously deride christianity".
"In reaching this decision, we took into consideration the context of the material," said a spokesman for the media regulator. "This included that Comic Relief is widely known for featuring irreverent and often absurd comedy sketches; the intention of the sketch was to create humour rather than seriously deride christianity"."In reaching this decision, we took into consideration the context of the material," said a spokesman for the media regulator. "This included that Comic Relief is widely known for featuring irreverent and often absurd comedy sketches; the intention of the sketch was to create humour rather than seriously deride christianity".
Ofcom said it also looked favourably on the BBC's decision to "take immediate action on the night of the broadcast, including issuing an apology for the tone of the sketch, removing it from BBC iPlayer and withdrawing a follow-up sketch due for broadcast later in the evening."Ofcom said it also looked favourably on the BBC's decision to "take immediate action on the night of the broadcast, including issuing an apology for the tone of the sketch, removing it from BBC iPlayer and withdrawing a follow-up sketch due for broadcast later in the evening."
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