Channel 4 plans gay animals documentary

Channel 4 is planning a show about the gay sex lives of the animal world, programme chiefs said today.

The Truth About Gay Animals - which the station is in the process of commissioning - will feature chimpanzees and other creatures in which homosexual behaviour has been observed.

‘‘It’s a funny 11 o’clock show,’’ said Channel 4’s director of programmes Tim Gardam.

Documentaries about sex were once a staple of Channel 4 output, but station bosses have little lined up for the spring and summer.

‘‘It’s easy to make bad programmes about sex,’’ Mr Gardam said.

The animal programme was one of three devoted to gay sex, he said.

The popular series Sex Tips For Girls will also make an eventual return.