Frank Skinner turned down Benefits Street narrator job 14 January 2014 Last updated at 12:31 Comic Frank Skinner has said he turned down the job of narrating Channel 4 documentary series Benefits Street. He told the Birmingham Mail it was because he did not want to be "involved in something where I'm derogatory about people from Birmingham." Skinner said producers told him the series "would be about 'community spirit' in a street in the city." Last week, the first episode prompted almost 300 complaints to Ofcom and about 100 to Channel 4. Skinner, who grew up in the West Midlands, told the newspaper: "I can imagine there would be a lot of awkward moments in the recording studio when I said 'I'm not going to say that'. I really don't want to be on TV criticising Birmingham. He added that he had not yet seen the programme and that "from what I've heard I think I made the right decision." The BBC is awaiting comment from Channel 4 on Skinner's claims. Last week Channel 4 said, in response to viewer complaints: "At no stage was criminal behaviour encouraged or condoned. All contributors were briefed that if they carried out criminal activity on camera, this could result in criminal investigations after broadcast. It called Benefits Street a "fair and balanced observational documentary." The series is filmed in James Turner Street in the Winson Green area of Birmingham and the first episode was seen by 4.3 million viewers. Some residents who feature in programme told the BBC last week that the makers have portrayed them negatively. One said he felt "let down" by the television production company, Love Productions, which made the series. Inquiries to police Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it would assess the complaints after Benefits Street comes to an end next month, and then decide whether to launch an investigation. Birmingham police also said they have had inquiries from members of the public concerned with the criminal activity featured in the show, and that officers were assessing whether its content "can assist us as part of any ongoing investigations, or indeed whether any new inquiries should be launched." Some commentators have criticised Benefits Street for demonising the poorest people in society.