Louis Theroux says the TV industry's fear of causing offence has created an 'atmosphere of anxiety' and accuses the BBC of seeking to 'avoid difficult subjects'

The TV industry's fear of causing offence has led to an 'atmosphere of anxiety' and 'less confident' programming, Louis Theroux said last night. Giving a keynote speech at the Edinburgh Television Festival, the BBC documentary star also took aim at the Corporation as he accused it of seeking to 'play it safe' and 'avoid the difficult subjects'. While Theroux is best known for his 2000 special on paedophile celebrity Jimmy Savile, his other documentary subjects have included the Church of Scientology, neo-Nazis, crystal meth, plastic surgery and America's notorious San Quentin prison. He took aim at the BBC as he accused it of seeking to 'play it safe' Addressing an audience of broadcast professionals in his prestigious speech, he spoke about a new focus in television that was 'more thoughtful about representation But while saying he was personally 'fully signed up to that agenda', he added: 'I wonder if there is something else going on as well.