LITTLE Britain was the hit comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC in 2003.
Created by Matt Lucas, David Walliams, and comedian Ashley Blaker, it saw portrayals of different satirical caricatures around the UK.
Popular characters played by the iconic pairing included Bubbles DeVere, offensive weight loss coach Marjorie Dawes and unhelpful office clerk / receptionist, Carol Beer.
However, research by the official UK TV regulator Ofcom found that some viewers were shocked at the sitcom.
The findings noted that the audience were horrified at an "explicitly racist" scene was still available to view on iPlayer.
It was first broadcast as part of the second episode of the second series in 2004.
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Polling company Ipsos revealed that 115 people saw the sketch as part of a study into audience expectations over content across linear TV and streaming services that is potentially offensive.
The Little Britain scene in question showed the university lecturer Linda Flint, played by the former Britain's Got Talent judge.
The counsellor described one of her students – called Kenneth Lao – as having, "yellowish skin, slight smell of soy sauce…" before using a racial slur.
The research reported: "Participants viewed this content as explicitly racist and outdated and felt that society had moved on.
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"This content was not considered acceptable for linear TV and many were surprised that it was available on BBC iPlayer."
A warning for the episode is already displayed on the streaming service, which says the instalment, "contains discriminatory language."
However, viewers who participated in the regulator's study said they desired an additional warning about the racist language in the sketch and an age rating of 15.
They also wanted an "explanation for why it was still accessible" to view on the corporation's services.
Some of the audience did admit that they found the sketch funny, but they "seemed embarrassed to say this and could recognise why it would be offensive."
Others enquired why the publicly funded corporation had removedcontroversial scenes that contained depictions of blackface in 2020, but scenes that featured racist tropes about Asian people were still viewable.
The report explained: "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.
"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."
When approached for comment, a BBC spokesperson told The Sun: "All jokes in our output are judged on context and intent.
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"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."
They added: "The programme is part of the BBC’s comedy archive and information is provided for iPlayer viewers about the inclusion of discriminatory language."
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