TV BOSSES who have refused to axe a controversial reality show have also revealed the series may be shorter because of filming difficulties.

Protesters in Southampton have held crunch talks with senior Channel 4 bosses over the future of the proposed television show Immigration Street.

The meeting came 24 hours before scores of campaigners travel to London today to demonstrate against the programme, which focuses on the lives of residents living in the Derby Road area of Southampton.

Daily Echo:

It follows 1,000 people signing a petition opposing the show, created by Love Productions, which they feel is unfair and will split the community there.

Last night the city’s community leaders expressed concerns that the show is likely to go ahead but hope a preview will be sent to police before it is broadcast.

Channel Four head of documentaries Nick Mirsky had visited the city for a two-hour meeting with protesters at Southampton Civic Centre.

They put to him a raft of demands, including changing the name of the series, sending a preview to the police and Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and airing it at a time which is unlikely to cause friction within the community.

Mr Mirsky promised to take their demands back to his bosses but refused to confirm when the show will be aired and whether changes will be made.

He also revealed that difficulties faced by the crew during filming had left creators with less material for the series, which could see the series shortened.

After the meeting Southampton City Council Cabinet member for communities, Councillor Satvir Kaur, said: “Channel Four has said it is unlikely to have a whole six-episode series due to lack of footage they’ve got and that it hasn’t been easy filming due to the community being against it.”

She added: “Had Love Productions worked closer with us from the beginning it could have potentially alleviated things.

“The lack of communication so far has created an unnecessary vacuum.

“He did apologise for the lack of communication and said he would try to build up trust and communication again.”

She added their concerns stem from the fallout from the Love Productions’ previous show, Benefits Street, which was criticised for negatively portraying residents living in James Turner Street in Birmingham.

“We don’t know whether it [the Southampton show] is going to be true and accurate and we have concerns unless they can show it to us”, she said.