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BBC cuts same-sex kiss scene from Dr Who to comply with Singapore broadcast regulations

Picture: Radio Times

Picture: Radio Times

An episode the popular family drama Dr Who had to be edited for Asian audiences by BBC Worldwide because it featured two people of the same sex touching lips.

The series, which is broadcast in this region in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand and Singapore had to be cut because of regulations in Singapore.

Had the scene been transmitted, BBC would have faced a fine.

The Dr Who episode Deep Breath featured a scene in which Silurian Madame Vastra locking lips with her human wife Jenny Flint in an attempt to save her life.

Singapore’s broadcast code stipulates that “information, themes or subplots on lifestyles such as homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexualism, transsexualism, transvestism, pedophilia and incest” are not allowed by Singapore’s Media Development Authority.

BBC Worldwide stated: “In order to comply with broadcast regulations in Asia where our BBC Entertainment channel airs, BBC Worldwide made a brief edit to the first episode of Doctor Who series eight, but did so without detracting from the storyline.”

Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, has said it has received a number of complaints as a result of the scene, but it not breach its broadcast code.

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