C4 defends 'vile' joke

Broadcaster backs controversial comedian...

10:51 13 December 2010

Channel four have defended comedian Frankie Boyle, after he was blasted for telling a "vile" joke at Katie Price's disabled son, Harvey's expense.

The Scottish funny-man, known for his controversial comedic style, made a joke about the former glamour model's son on his Tramadol Nights programme.

Price has made a formal complaint about the show, branding the gag as "vile", and Ofcom has launched an investigation.

She said: "By broadcasting these vile sexual comments about Harvey, and then insisting on repeating them, Channel Four are trying to take us back to an era when discrimination was accepted.

"This issue is not about me, other than Harvey is my son. This issue is about discrimination.

"They mustn't be allowed to get away with it."

However, Channel four has backed Boyle, defending the general right of comedians to make jokes which "push boundaries".

Shane Allen, Head of Comedy for the Channel said: "We are aware that Frankie Boyle's comedy can be very challenging which is why we have gone to careful lengths in scrutinising the material editorially, in scheduling the series appropriately and by giving clear and strong warnings into each of the programmes.

"We think that it is important that a space on terrestrial TV exists for comedy that takes risks and pushes boundaries and we stand by our original decision to broadcast the programme."

Ofcom have said that a judgement regarding Boyle's comments would not be determined until the New Year.