David Soul In Jerry Springer MusicalDavid Soul In Jerry Springer: The MusicalJerry Springer has admitted the opera based on his TV show could be offensive to Christians - and he admitted he would not have written it himself.

The US talk show host - in London to address a Jewish charity night - said: "I don't believe in making fun of other religions."

Springer, 60, said he understood why thousands of Christians had protested about Jerry Springer: The Opera when it was screened by the BBC.

The musical, a parody of his programme, was written by comedians Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas and stars David Soul.

It includes a scene with a nappy-wearing Jesus admitting he was "a bit gay".

"I wouldn't have written it.You would have to talk to the people that wrote it. I don't make religious
jokes so I wouldn't have done it. But it's not up to me," said Springer.

The opera attracted 50,000 complaints when it was shown on BBC2 earlier this month.

Asked if the West End musical should have been shown on television, Springer said: "Perhaps not."

And he added: "I don't know why they decided to run it on the BBC, you would have to ask the BBC.

"It's not my opera, I didn't write it, I didn't produce it, I don't own it, I don't own the BBC. That's an issue you have to deal with in England."

However, he did have some praise for the hit show.

"I think the music is wonderful, I think the production was excellent, I think it's witty at times. But I could see how people think it went too far," he concluded.