"Jerry Springer The Opera" to be broadcast by BBC 2 on Sat 8 Jan 2005 despite a record number of complaints.

"Jerry Springer The Opera" to be broadcast by BBC 2 on Sat 8 Jan 2005 despite a record number of complaints.

A full un-edited performance Jerry Springer The Opera, recorded live at The Cambridge Theatre last December, will be broadcast by BBC 2 on Sat 8 Jan 2005 at 10pm despite a record number of complaints.

The evening starts at 9pm with 'Ruby Wax Meets Jerry Springer.' This is followed by a behind the scenes look at how the musical evolved - with contributions from creators Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas.

At 10pm, there is a full un-edited performance featuring David Soul (star of TV's Starsky & Hutch) as Jerry Springer and David Bedella, (Olivier Award winner and Dr Carlos Fashola in BBC's Holby City) as Warm-up man/Satan.

THE BBC has been flooded with a record number of protests after deciding to screen the show which include song titles as "Chick With A Dick" and "Mama Give me Smack on the Asshole". In one scene a man talks about his sex fantasy of being dressed up like a baby and there are also tap-dancing Ku Klux Klan members.

The show has also been accused of blasphemy over a row between Satan and Jesus, who wears a nappy and admits he is "a bit gay".

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We realise this will not be to everyone's taste but people will be warned of the content before broadcast. This is an award-winning show."