Fears over viewer backlash

The BBC has shelved tonight's planned edition of QI – because of fears of a viewer backlash over Jeremy Clarkson.

The Top Gear host was planned to be one of the panelists on tonight’s BBC Two show alongside Ross Noble and Dara O'Briain.

But MediaGuardian reports that BBC executives have pulled the programme, fearing more controversy following the storm over Clarkson’s joke that striking public sector workers should be shot in front of their families.

More than 30,000 people complained over the comments, made on The One Show.

Tonight’s edition has been replaced by another episode – which had been scheduled for later in the run – featuring Sandi Toksvig, Lee Mack and Jimmy Carr.

The corporation said: ‘It is not unusual for the running order of a programme to change. The billed episode will be shown at a later date.’

Published: 9 Dec 2011