Complaints about a repeat of a controversial satire about paedophilia have been rejected by a television watchdog.

A warning broadcast before the repeat of the Brass Eye Special - a spoof of the media's reaction to paedophilia - was sufficient, the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) has ruled.

The programme had gained such notoriety... that there could be few viewers who were unaware of the controversy

Channel 4

The warning was stronger than the one which preceded the programme's original broadcast, which attracted more than 1,500 complaints in July 2001.

The repeat, shown in May 2002, prompted 28 viewers to complain to the BSC.

The new warning emphasised that the programme contained disturbing scenes and explained that the children seen were actors and were not placed at risk, the BSC said.

"The Commission considered that, on balance, the broadcast of the programme in this context, late at night on a minority channel, preceded by the strengthened, specific warnings, had not exceeded acceptable limits," a statement said.

Ant and Dec's SM:tv was criticised

Channel 4 said the revised warning was "far more detailed" and made clear that the show was not suitable to be watched by children.

"Furthermore, the programme had gained such notoriety following its original broadcast that there could be few viewers who were unaware of the controversy that the programme had attracted," their statement said.

The show caused a storm when it was first shown, with MPs and viewers' groups stepping in to condemn it.

The Independent Television Committee (ITC) ordered Channel 4 to make an apology at the time, but complaints from two Labour MPs who claimed they were tricked into appearing were rejected.

The show has since won a string of awards, and was nominated for two prestigious Bafta TV prizes.

Top of the Pops were censured for showing a George Michael video

The BSC did criticise ITV1's Saturday morning children's show SM:tv, on which pop star Robbie Williams bared his bottom at the end of a game.

"Whilst only a partial view of the guest's bottom could be seen, the panel considered that the production crew could have exercised stricter control over the situation given the reputation of the performer for such antics," the BSC said.

It also upheld two complaints against Top of the Pops for screening a music video for George Michael's last single, Freeek, which contained scenes of bondage, erotic images and "suggestive movements".