Comedian Harry Enfield has been banned from performing both as "a sex-crazed Muslim hoodie" and a "paedophile Catholic priest" in his new BBC comedy show Harry and Paul.
The BBC reportedly told Enfield to abandon the characters because they might "cause trouble." Enfield said: "I was told, 'Don't even go there'."
The show's production company claim the decision was made almost two years ago by key members of the production team and so has not affected the programme's production or launch. A Tiger Aspect Productions spokesperson said: "The characters never made it further than the page."
The decision follows British comedian Ben Elton's allegations that the BBC does not allow the same level of satire against Islam as it does other religions out of a fear of "provoking the radical elements of Islam."
In April 2008 he controversially said: "There's no doubt about it, the BBC will let vicar gags pass but they would not let imam gags pass."
