BBC abandons sexually graphic ballet

The BBC has scrapped plans to broadcast a ballet after learning that it features scenes of a hunchback pope garrotting a pregnant woman with rosary beads.

The ballet titled 'Eternal Damnation to Sancho and Sanchez' by Javier de Frutos was due to be shown over Christmas.

However, after learning about the graphic sexual nature of the ballet, it was pulled.

Its scenes of an entirely fictitious obese and deformed pontiff abusing an altar boy and pregnant nun were described as among the most graphic ever seen on stage.

They are believed to be unsuitable for a pre-watershed time slot. But the channel will still broadcast three other acts from last month's Sadler's Wells performance.

 "When we announced we were showing it we weren't fully aware of the details," The Daily Star quoted a BBC spokesman as saying. "But the material isn't suitable for a pre-watershed broadcast."

Theatre critics said it is "violent", "lurid" and "deliberately offensive," he added.