Gay Rights Groups Demand Apology From BBC After O Briain Slur

ELTON PAEDOPHILIA JOKE OUTRAGES GAY RIGHTS GROUPBritish gay rights group OUTRAGE! are demanding an apology from the BBC after a TV host made a joke suggesting SIR ELTON JOHN is sexually excited by young boys.Comedian DARA O'BRIAIN was serving as guest host on Friday's (13MAY05) topical quiz show HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU, when he started a discussion about the ROCKET MAN's role in turning movie BILLY ELLIOT into a hit London musical.But the activists were horrified when O'Briain remarked, "Elton sees a little bit of himself in Billy," referring to John having anal sex with the fictional 11-year-old ballet dancer.OutRage! spokesman BRETT LOCK fumes, "We'll be asking them to ask Mr O'Briain to apologise and an apology from the BBC wouldn't go amiss either."It's very odd that a joke of that nature made it past the vetting procedures. The joke was aimed at suggesting any older gay man would naturally have a sexual interest in young boys, and I think that is what is most of fensive."We certainly hope that it will come to his attention and perhaps he will be moved to complain himself,"

A BBC spokesman insists the joke was written by a team of writers and that only one other person had complained about the nature of the joke.

Spokespeople for John and O'Briain were not available for comment.