Bosses at the BBC have defended their decision to interrupt normal programming in order to broadcast coverage of the late Whitney Houston's funeral over the weekend. 

A memorial service to honour the icon, who tragically died on February 11, took place on Saturday, February 18 at the New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey and the BBC cancelled its planned schedule of programmes to include exclusive and extensive footage of the service. 

An official statement released by the British Broadcasting Corporation dismissed the 118 complaints registered by viewers and explained that it is important to report on news that is of significant public interest regardless of the content:

"The News Channel's coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral reflected the significant interest in her sudden death as well as acknowledging the impact she had as a global recording artist."

A spokesperson from the BBC added that it is "part of the News Channel function to be there when major stories take place".