TO SOME it is a parade of the seven deadly sins made flesh. But the born-again head of Channel 4 last night declared Big Brother a Christian parable for our times.

Openly declaring his evangelical beliefs, Andy Duncan claimed that the reality television show was a modern-day embodiment of biblical values. The programme glories under the banner “Big Brother gets evil”. Fights and one incident of contestants having sex on a teenage version of the programme have prompted hundreds of complaints. But, addressing the Faithworks Christian group, the Channel 4 chief executive urged churchgoers to reassess the series.

Mr Duncan said: “Look beyond the shouting and swearing to the people themselves. There are positive values, transformatory experiences and examples of personal growth to be found. For the record, I am a practising Christian on what might be called the evangelical wing of the church.”

He added: “Big Brother winners are all role models in their way; not only because over past series they’ve included ethnic minorities, a gay man and a transsexual — as well as an evangelical Christian — but because in the final analysis viewers choose people whose values they identify with and admire.For many viewers they offer positive examples and practical inspiration for their own lives, and that’s something I’m certainly not ashamed of.”

He identified the Christian Big Brother values promoted by the contestants as “honesty, integrity, constancy and kindness”. Mr Duncan, who succeeded Mark Thompson as the Channel 4 chief executive a year ago, said it was television’s role to “build a wider trust in society and the many different lives, faiths and values that make or break it.”

He said: “Tolerance and understanding of others — fundamental New Testament values — can only be built on knowledge and respect. Condemnation so often springs from ignorance and fear.”

But Mr Duncan accepted that many fellow Christians may dismiss Big Brother as foul-mouthed and morally degenerate.

In Australia, an investigation has been ordered by a government minister into possible breaches of the country’s television code of practice after Big Brother broadcast scenes of a couple apparently having sex in a bath, naked contestants in a shower and a direct shot of one male housemate’s genitals. Mr Duncan said: “I can understand how the language and behaviour may often be at odds with those of an older generation. But look more closely.”

Mr Duncan is not the only committed Christian at the helm of British broadcasting. Mark Thompson, now BBC Director-General, is a practising Catholic. He approved the screening of Jerry Springer: The Opera despite opposition from Christian groups because he was convinced the piece demonstrated artistic merit beyond any offence caused.

THE SACRED AND PROFANE

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God
Matthew 5:9

You get in my face and do that again, I’ll f****** kill you. I’ll knock you out. Don’t dare ever dance in my face. I’ll take your head off
Jason, Big Brother 5: Day 21

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