The BBC has received 4,680 complaints from viewers angry that last night’s episode of costume drama Little Dorrit was replaced at the last minute with a Panorama special on the Shannon Matthews trial.

Today the corporation apologised to BBC1 viewers who were annoyed at the late move of the drama, as well as factual series The People’s Hospital, to make way for the hour-long current affairs special.

However, the BBC said it believed the Panorama programme – broadcast after Shannon’s mother Karen and co-defendant Michael Donovan were yesterday found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice – was in the public interest.

Overnight ratings also seemed to back the BBC’s decision. Panorama pulled in 5.6 million viewers and a 24% share in the 8pm hour, compared with just 2.5 million and 10% for Little Dorrit on Wednesday – the drama’s lowest rating of the series so far.

“The conviction of Karen Matthews and Michael Donovan on December 4 was felt to be of huge public interest and we were keen to reflect this by broadcasting this programme,” the BBC said.

“We’re fully aware that making late changes to the schedules can cause disruption and annoyance and we don’t take these decisions lightly.

“BBC1 listings information was updated online and on the electronic listings guides from lunchtime on December 4 as soon as the decision to move the programmes was made.

“There was also an on-air announcement alerting viewers to the change in programme billings.

“We would like to apologise to those people who were expecting to watch Little Dorrit and The People’s Hospital.”

The BBC added that the episode of Little Dorrit could be seen on Sunday at 6.15pm during the show’s weekly omnibus repeat, while The People’s Hospital will return on December 18 at 8.30pm.

This apology is the second of the day for the BBC, with Radio 1 breakfast DJ Chris Moyles also issuing a short statement saying sorry for appearing to link Poles with prostitutes.

source: The Guardian, December 5, by Leigh Holmwood