Viewers back Chris Langham interview

Ofcom has said that it has yet to receive any viewer complaints in relation to the controversial interview with disgraced actor Chris Langham which was broadcast on More4 last night. Channel 4 said it has not received any complaints about the hour-long More4 show yet either.

It was expected that the latest episode of Shrink Rap, which saw Chris Langham interviewed by Pamela Stephenson (whom he previously worked with on Not the Nine O'Clock News) would draw many complaints. Stephenson, who is now a clinical psychologist, talked to the actor about his time in jail, as well as the alleged sexual abuse he suffered when he was an eight-year-old. Langham described a painful past, speaking openly about the abuse he endured as a child, his addictions, his trial and subsequent imprisonment. He also controversially appeared to attempt to justify the actions which led to his conviction.

The interview brought More4's Shrink Rap format its biggest audience to date, with 157,000 tuning in.

Both before and after the broadcast, the programme has faced criticism in the national press – most of which focusing on the ethics of giving Langham a public platform. The interview has also lead to some forthright views being published in the BSG forums and national press.

Here's a sample of some of the press reviews...

"It does appear that he still sees himself as the victim. And some things he says are absolutely mind-boggling. This, for example: 'If these children could endure what they had to endure when these images were created, at least I could have the courage to sit there and watch it'. You can see that Connolly is disturbed, but she remains calm, suggesting to Langham another way of looking at it. I'm sure that's the right response for a clinical psychologist. But I thought what Langham said deserved spluttering incredulity, more of a Paxmanesque reaction." Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

"It's difficult to review a show like this. Did it humanise Langham? Probably. Did he speak honestly, intelligently and openly? Probably. I thought Dr Pam was pretty good, and probed when she had too, questioned when she had too. Not an easy watch, and who knows now what will happen to Langham, but another intense and fascinating hour." Paul Hirons, TV Scoop

"Chris Langham is surely lucky to have a chance to explain why he was sent to jail for downloading child pornography. Other criminals are less fortunate. Gently questioned by clinical psychologist Dr Pamela Connolly, he does, however, appear lucid, remorseful and honest. As he talks movingly about being abused when he was eight ('the most therapeutic experience I've been through about that was my trial'), his lengthy drug and alcohol addictions and his time in prison, he lays bare his self-doubt, fears and obsessions. Less convincing is his self-justification. Langham admits being stupid and arrogant and says the images were 'traumatic', but his logic thereafter seems warped." Simon Horsford, Daily Telegraph

"I can't remember if I've seen Shrink Rap before, and if I have, my subconscious has done a very good job suppressing the trauma, because I was unprepared for just how ghastly [Pamela Stephenson] is in her role as a media confessor." Thomas Sutcliffe, The Independent

There are currently no plans to broadcast a repeat of the interview, however it is available to view via 4oD.