FilmFour will doctor 'Idiots' sex scenes

A Danish film which features real sex scenes is to be given its television premiÿre on Channel 4's FilmFour next month. The Idiots portrays a group of middle-class friends who try to shock "normal" society by pretending to be mentally handicapped. It sparked controversy when censors passed explicit sex scenes and depictions of mental instability.

FilmFour bosses have decided to doctor some of the most graphic sexual scenes to obscure the images - but will post them in full on the internet. The original version can be obtained on video.

The digital channelwanted to screen the film uncut, but instead opted to pixilate some images to meet Independent Television Commission guidelines. "We disagree with the discrepancies that exist between what can be broadcast on television and seen on video," a spokesman said.