THE Bishop of Worcester has criticised Christian fundamentalists after they issued death threats to BBC staff over the controversial screening of Jerry Springer - The Opera.

The Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby labelled protesters "disgraceful" for forcing some managers at Television Centre to require 24-hour security protection.

The programme, screened on BBC 2 on Saturday night, attracted a record 45,000 complaints before it was aired - one scene portrayed "Jesus" claiming he was " a bit gay".

The complaints were triggered by a demand by Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff to axe the broadcast, published on the front page of the Worcester Evening News last Tuesday.

"Some of the reactions have been, frankly, over the top and in terms of threats to individual executives, quite disgraceful," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester radio.

Somewhat bored

"I tried watching it and, in fact, got somewhat bored - I didn't find it very impressive in either direction."

Bishop Peter refused to condemn the programme, even saying it could be "a good thing" if it provoked a debate about whether religion was an individualistic interest.

But Mr Luff was angry that the BBC opted to go ahead with the show, which contained 3,168 mentions of the f-word and 297 of the c-word.

"I think they made a mistake and one they will regret in retrospect for causing so much offence to so many people," said Mr Luff.

"I'm disappointed that some of the protest has taken such a threatening tone. It is entirely inappropriate.

"But the BBC has never had so many complaints in its history and has an obligation to respond to people's views and it has broken that."

He warned that the programme could prompt changes to the corporation when the Government reviews its charter, which expires in 2006.

"It may be the BBC has hastened the case for some things it doesn't want to face up to," he said.