Little Mo's scene talking about her rape attracted seven complaints

Seven viewers complained the episode, which centred on a lengthy scene between characters Little Mo and Kate, was unsuitable for family viewing.

The BBC published the latest findings from its Programme Complaints Committee on Tuesday.

Complaints against Only Fools and Horses and views expressed by DJ Sara Cox on BBC Radio 1 were also upheld.

A listener complained that Cox endorsed the support for Senator Kerry's bid for the US presidency, expressed by Coldplay's Chris Martin at the previous night's Grammy Award ceremony in February.

Repeat broadcast

The committee found Cox had went beyond simply reporting what Martin had said, in her enthusiasm for British success at the ceremony.

Four viewers protested about the use of the word "mong" in an episode of classic comedy Only Fools and Horses on Christmas Day.

The BBC said that although it was intended as an abbreviation of "mongrel" the programme-makers were unaware it was also a derogatory term for Down's Syndrome.

The BBC ruled the term would be edited out before any repeat broadcast of the episode.

A total of 28 complaints investigated by the committee between January and March this year were upheld on the grounds of taste and standards or accuracy.

Sir Robert Smith, chairman of the Governors' programme complaints committee said: "Over the past 18 months, the full board has enhanced its oversight of impartiality across the BBC's output.

"It now receives quarterly reporting on impartiality, and also commissions two independent reviews of editorial output each year to look at the BBC's handling of specific controversial subjects."