Britain: Fury over sitcom set in brothel.

Byline: By SHERNA NOAH 

A NEW Channel Five sitcom set in a brothel has sparked an angry response from a women's charity which has called for it to be taken off air.

Eaves, which campaigns to stop violence against women, says the sitcom, Respectable, contravenes broadcasting guidelines.

The six-part comedy series, which had its debut last night, features three women in prostitution, including a postgraduate student who is paying off her student debts.

It is set around a love story between an unhappily married man and a wannabe reality TV star who is working in The Debonnaire brothel as a prostitute.

A "chain-smoking 'very skilled' granny" runs the brothel, which is housed in a British suburb.

Eaves says the sitcom, starring Jodi Albert, goes against Ofcom guidelines on condoning or glamorising violence, dangerous or seriously antisocial behaviour.

The charity's chief executive, Denise Marshall, said: "This sitcom completely misrepresents the sex industry by depicting prostitution as a glamorous, easy and risk-free way to make money.

"In our 30 years of working with women, we have not found that women get involved in prostitution because they want to extend their shoe collection, but because of a background of poverty, abuse and drug dependency.

"As campaigners who work with real women, we are not going to leave this alone.

"We have written to Five, Ofcom and Tessa Jowell (Culture Secretary) and we are calling on our network of supporters across the country to do the same. We want this programme taken off the air.

"Respectable will perpetuate the myth that not only is buying sex acceptable, rather than degrading and exploitative, but that it can be fun and enjoyable for the women involved and add glamour to their lives."

The charity's petition has gathered over 1,500 signatures.