Commercial broadcaster RTL has dropped its reality dating soap De Villa after this week’s show included two scenes in which participants ‘crossed the line of sexually acceptable behaviour’.

Both scenes took place at night and involved a male participant trying to persuade an unwilling female cast member to have sex. The broadcast led to a large number of comments on social media as well as formal complaints.

RTL said after the broadcast that had suspended the show and also withdrawn it from the repeat platform Videoland.

The behaviour was unacceptable and should never have been promoted, on or off screen, the broadcaster said, and apologised for transmitting the show.

In De Villa, a group of singles are followed while staying at a villa in Spain while a computer programme tries to predict who will make a good couple. The show is typified by copious amounts of partying and alcohol.

The decision comes at the same time as a contestant in a Spanish version of Big Brother is put on trial for raping a housemate from the show two years ago.

The rape was filmed and the crew did not intervene. Instead, the victim was shown the footage a day later and both she and her attacker sent away from the house after being sworn to secrecy, the AD reported.