The BBC has defended its satirical quiz show Have I Got News For You after some viewers complained about comments made about the late Baroness Thatcher.

Friday's programme included a number of references to the former prime minister with a lengthy section discussing her death.

The BBC said it would have been impossible to ignore her death as the programme covered the biggest stories of the week and pointed out the panellists did not directly make fun of Lady Thatcher.

In a posting on the BBC's complaints website, the corporation said it had heard from viewers who were disappointed by the comments made about her. So far, the BBC1 show has received 107 complaints.

During the show, guest Ken Livingstone, the former London mayor, joked about how during her time in office she had axed the Greater London Council, of which he had been the leader.

"I haven't had my invite to the funeral yet so I haven't been able to decline it," he said, adding: "It would be a tad hypocritical given she abolished me, to turn up to her funeral."

Responding to the complaints, the BBC said: "Given the enormous amount of TV and newspaper comment on the life of Lady Thatcher, it was impossible to ignore the story.

"The very fact that the programme covered the death of Lady Thatcher was always going to infuriate some, however they should know what to expect from the show after 23 years."