45k sign petition to stop Channel 4 showing 'Benefits Street'

Footballer Joey Barton has sparked more controversy on Twitter by saying the residents of Channel 4's "Benefits Street" documentary should not be allowed to have children.

After watching the show, filmed on James Turner Street in Birmingham, he tweeted:

"Strong evidence to support the breeding licence theory...

"You need a licence to drive a car. You need a licence for a TV. You need a licence for a gun. Licence to drive a folk-lift truck.

"Yet, anyone can have child? Nothing else needed except the sexual appetite.

"Surely you should have to pass a test or at least show you are capable of looking after kids. Surely?"

His tweets have been heavily criticised by a number of people on the social media site.

More than 45,000 people have signed a petition calling on Channel 4 to stop broadcasting the controversial show.

Read: David Cameron admits to watching "Benefits Street"

David Cameron has admitted he has watched the controversial documentary "Benefits Street" after an MP claimed "there is a street like this in every constituency."

The Prime Minister says the programme, based on James Turner Street in Birmingham, is a reminder that some people need help getting out of the benefits system.

Watch: Street is "like a zoo" following 'Benefits Street' says resident

Frank Skinner has revealed he turned down the job of narrating Channel 4's Benefits Street as he did not want to be critical of people from Birmingham.

According to the Birmingham Mail, the comedian was told the series would be about "community spirit" in James Turner Street, but he was "a bit worried about the topic".

“I thought ‘I don’t really want to be involved in something where I’m derogatory about people from Birmingham’", Skinner said.

“The production company sent me a couple of clips which were very nice", but he added: "They only showed me a very small part of a five-episode series, and I wondered what the rest would be like."

The documentary has received some criticised for its portrayal of people on benefits and some residents have claimed they were misled by film-makers.

Channel 4 has said that it was "very clear and transparent" with those taking part about the nature of the programme it envisaged.

Read: MP: Benefits Street misleads about life on social security

Protests will take place today against the production company behind "Benefits Street", based on people on a road in Birmingham who claim benefits.

Protesters, which will include people from around James Turner Street, have accused Love Productions of misrepresenting poverty in a "cynical grab for ratings."

They expected to gather outside the production company's office in London this afternoon.

Unite says campaigners are calling on the company to meet with the people affected to understand concerns and "discuss how they can repair the damage caused by the show."

The second part of the series will be aired on Channel 4 tonight.

Read: Channel 4 defends "Benefits Street."

A man who lives on the road which is the subject of Channel 4 documentary "Benefits Street" claims producers have tricked residents over the purpose of the show.

The man, who chose to remain anonymous, says people on James Turner Street in Birmingham were told the programme would be about community spirit.

He also says the show will negatively affect house prices in the area.

Channel 4 says contributors were "briefed extensively" before filming took place and were "given support all the way thorough the process".

Channel 4 also said:

"The production crew were filming in a purely observational capacity - at no stage was criminal behaviour encouraged or condoned."

Nearly 30,000 people have signed a petition calling on Channel 4 to stop broadcasting the documentary "Benefits Street" and to make a donation to a relevant charity.

The first episode of the four-part series, based on James Turner Street in Birmingham, had been criticised by the organisers of the petition for 'stirring up hatred' towards people on benefits.

The second part of the five-part series is due to be shown tonight.

Residents of James Turner Street in Birmingham say the road is now 'like a zoo' following the broadcast of Channel 4's "Benefits Street."

One man says people who live on the street and do work are now being judged following the documentary, which follows the lives of a number of residents who are on benefits.

Read: Channel 4 defends "Benefits Street" programme.