People can’t believe controversial Little Britain episode is still on iPlayer after Ofcom deems it ‘explicitly racist’

Brits have been left stunned that 'explicitly racist and outdated' Little Britain sketch is still available on BBC iPlayer.

The controversial comedy series, starring David Walliams and Matt Lucas, has come under fire in recent years.

The duo faced significant backlash after the show returned to the BBC's on-demand service.

Producers made edits to episodes to 'better reflect the changes in the cultural landscape', since the program first aired.

But research into audience expectations on potentially offensive content across linear TV and streaming services by watchdog Ofcom found people still think it is 'purposely offensive'.

Participants viewed various shows, including a sketch from Little Britain, which was originally broadcast more than two decades ago in 2002.

It shows Walliams portraying the character of Linda Flint, an employee at a university who you may remember always called on her boss 'Martin' for help.

During one of these phone calls, she is seen describing an Asian student, Kenneth Lao, to her manager.

The fictional character says Lao has 'yellowish skin, slight smell of soy sauce... the ching-chong China man'.

The toe-curling scene is accompanied by a laughing track.

BBC

People who participated in Ofcom's study were questioned about their opinions of the sketch by polling company Ipsos.

Viewers said the content was 'explicitly racist and outdated, and felt that society had moved on', according to the regulator's report.

It explained: "A few participants said they found it funny but seemed embarrassed to say this and could recognise why it would be offensive.

"This content was not considered acceptable for linear TV and many were surprised that it was available on BBC iPlayer.

The episode, which is available on iPlayer, currently features a brief warning before viewers click on the show.

It reads: "Contains adult humour. Contains discriminatory language."

Ofcom's study found: "The clip was considered less acceptable because the participants felt it was purposely offensive in stereotyping and targeting an ethnic minority group for comedy purposes.

Mike Marsland/WireImage

"Some reasoned that it was important to still show this content to reflect the beliefs of society at the time.

"However, there were concerns that it could normalise racist behaviours which could be repeated by young children."

One respondent, a father from Scotland, said he would be 'horrified' if his child watched it and replicated the behaviour.

A host of Little Britain episodes were taken off iPlayer following criticism about the use of blackface in the show.

A BBC spokesperson told LADbible: "All jokes in our output are judged on context and intent.

"The sketches in which the character Linda Flint makes reference to the appearance or race of a series of people are intended to expose and ridicule some of the outdated prejudices and racism that still exist in parts of British society, which is more apparent when viewing the sketches within the context of a full episode, and across the series as a whole.

"The programme is part of the BBC’s comedy archive and information is provided for iPlayer viewers about the inclusion of discriminatory language."

Participants also watched a clip of Jimmy Carr's controversial stand-up special on Netflix, His Dark Material.

The report found his jokes 'pushed boundaries too far' and could 'cause harm' to victims of sexual abuse.