200 complaints flood in to BBC after 13-year-old is knifed in EastEnders

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There were nearly 200 complaints over the violence in the pre-watershed soap.

Many parents were angry that children would have seen 13-year-old character Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) knifed.

In the episode, broadcast at 7.30pm, the young tearaway was lured into a football game and viciously attacked.

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Ignorant of the danger: Before the attack, Jay Brown brandishes a knife around

BBC chiefs allowed the broadcast - knowing it would be controversial - despite watchdogs recently ordering a clampdown on soap violence.

The corporation received 184 complaints and Ofcom another seven.

John Beyer, of the pressure group Mediawatch UK, said: "I think this shows that at a flagship programme such as East-Enders they are prepared to ignore public opinion, prepared to ignore the regulator and the complaints and carry on regardless."

A BBC spokesman said yesterday: "EastEnders has always tackled difficult issues and we acknowledge that some viewers could consider this storyline challenging.

"This is part of a long-running storyline that in no way glamorises the use of knives."

Scared: Jay Brown, played by Jamie Borthwick, is terrified following his attack

Controversial: The violent scenes of the stabbing which caused 200 people to complain