London - Britain's stereotypically reserved attitude to sex took a beating yesterday when a survey showed that attitudes to sex on television have become more tolerant in the past six years.
"Sex is more open now," one middle-aged man told pollsters from Britain's Broadcasting Standards Commission. "It's not taboo any more."
Only 24 per cent of the 1,000 people questioned said they found sex on television offensive, compared to 39 per cent in a previous survey conducted in 1992. Meanwhile 58 per cent said it was acceptable to show homosexual relationships on screen, up from 46 per cent in 1992.
Some 78 per cent said sex should be seen if it was central to the story-line but almost three-quarters felt broadcasters used most TV sex as a cynical ploy to boost ratings. Thirty-six per cent said there was too much sex on TV.