Was Rome the most blood-thirsty British TV show ever?

Here at MediaGuardian, we loved Rome. Roll on the second series after last night's rip-roaring series finale. But, we have to ask on behalf of those of a more sensitive nature (who may well have just decided to give the HBO/BBC co-pro a miss altogether), was that episode the most bloodthirsty ever seen on British television? The execution/gladiator scene contained a beheading, multiple dismemberments and a stomach-churning denouement that had to be seen to be believed.