BBC defends ‘careful and sensitive’ handling of CBBC’s first ever same-sex kiss in response to more than 100 complaints

‘An important part of our mission to make sure every child feels they belong’:

BBC has responded to complaints after airing a same-sex kiss on CBBC teen dance show The Next Step.

The broadcaster issued a lengthy statement on their website where they defended their decision and insisted LGBTQ+ young people should be represented.

BBC is said to have received ‘more than 100’ complaints last month after female characters Cleo and Jude kissed following a highly-charged duet. 

Response: BBC has responded to complaints after airing a same-sex kiss on CBBC teen dance show The Next Step 

Responding to the complaints, the broadcaster said that they want to ‘reflect the lives of LGBTQ+ young people’.  

They insisted that it is their mission to make sure every child ‘feels like they belong, that they are safe, and that they can be who they want to be’.  

BBC also noted that the first same-sex kiss occurred on Byker Grove ‘many years ago’ and same-sex relationships have been represented on other CBBC shows.

In 1994, Noddy Fishwick, played by Brett Adams, kissed his close male friend Gary Hendrix, played by George Trotter, on the cheek at the back of a cinema. 

BBC’s statement read: ‘The decision to include this moment, as part of a longer storyline throughout series 7 which has been tracking the development of a romantic relationship between two of the characters, Jude and Cleo.

Statement: The broadcaster issued a lengthy statement on their website where they defended their decision and insisted LGBTQ+ young people should be represented

Kiss: BBC is said to have received ‘more than 100’ complaints last month after female characters Cleo and Jude kissed following a highly-charged duet 

‘[It] was taken very carefully and with much consideration, and came about after CBBC and Boatrocker (the production company who make the show) acknowledged that the series could and should do more to reflect the lives of LGBTQ+ young people. 

‘This is an important part of our mission to make sure that every child feels like they belong, that they are safe, and that they can be who they want to be.

‘We believe that the storyline, and the kiss, was handled with sensitivity and without sensationalism, following as it did the portrayal of Jude & Cleo’s developing relationship.

‘And I’m afraid we do not agree that it was inappropriate for the audience age – CBBC regularly portrays heterosexual young people dating, falling in love, and kissing, and it is an important way of showing children what respectful, kind and loving relationships look like.’

First ever same-sex kiss: BBC noted that the first ever same-sex kiss occurred on Byker Grove in 1994, where Noddy Fishwick, played by Brett Adams, kissed his male friend on the cheek (pictured) 

Representation: Responding to the complaints, the broadcaster said that they want to ‘reflect the lives of LGBTQ+ young people’ 

They added: ‘At Children’s BBC, we are proud to reflect all areas of children’s lives across our factual and fictional output.’ 

BBC also noted that the first same-sex kiss occurred on Byker Grove ‘many years ago’ and same-sex relationships have been represented on shows such as Jamie Johnson, 4 O’Clock Club, Dixie and Marrying Mum and Dad.

They added: ‘This moment in The Next Step is merely one story among a myriad of voices and experiences across our output.’  

CBBC drama The Next Step received complaints after it aired a same sex kiss in an episode last month.

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The BBC children’s network was lauded by viewers and LGBT rights charity Stonewall for showing the channel’s same-sex kiss in the Canadian mockumentary-style drama.

Two weeks after the episode aired, BBC confirmed on their website that they had ‘received complaints about a storyline involving a same-sex kiss.’ 

Defence: The BBC responded: ‘This is an important part of our mission to make sure that every child feels like they belong, that they are safe, and that they can be who they want to be’

Metro.co.uk report the broadcaster ‘will have received more than 100′ complaints’ to spark the statement, with the BBC’s complaints framework stating they will respond with a statement if ‘a number’ of complaints are received on the same issue.  

Stonewall’s head of policy and research, Eloise Stonborough, praised the episode in a statement to Metro as ‘an exciting moment for LGBT+ representation’. 

The BBC and Ofcom have been contacted by MailOnline for further comment. 

The episode, which saw female characters Cleo and Jude lock lips following a highly-charged duet, was also applauded by fans on social media at the time who lauded the network for its progression.

In the episode, called ‘Room Service’, Cleo, played by Dani Verayo, is left floored after her pal Summer (Sage Linder) decides to leave the troupe.

Popular show: The Canadian mockumentary-style drama follows a dance troupe as they prepare for and compete in various competitions and championships, it has been airing on CBBC and Universal Kids in the US since 2013

She soon seeks support from Jude, played by Molly Sanders, with the girls having a heart-to-heart, before launching into a romantic routine performed to Brave by Shane Harte and sharing a kiss. 

‘CBBC JUST DID THAT! THE NEXT STEP, A KIDS SHOW, JUST DID THAT!’ gushed one viewer. 

While another penned: ‘I clapped when it happened. Well done CBBC and The Next Step! This is what progression looks like.’

A third watcher tweeted: ‘On cbbc??? they wouldn’t have put ANYTHING like this on there when i was little and that was only like 10 years ago,,, we moving forward!!!’

Support: Stonewall’s head of policy and research, Eloise Stonborough, praised the episode in a statement to Metro as ‘an exciting moment for LGBT+ representation’ 

‘YES! I’m so proud of how far The Next Step has come and how it’s helped pioneer CBBC’ shared a fourth.

‘This is the first proper LGBT couple ever on CBBC right cause I will never be over this’, wrote a fifth person. 

Another person enthused: ‘When kids shows have representation like this it honestly makes me so happy because I know there are kids out there who will feel less alone than I did thank you @cbbc @thenextstep.’ (sic) 

The Next Step airs on CBBC and can be streamed via BBC iPlayer. 

Praise: After the momentous scene aired, viewers were quick to take to Twitter to praise the channel breaking down barriers and taking a big leap forward for LGBTQ representation