A TELEVISION trailer featuring Johnny Vegas sitting inside a fridge has come under fire from communications watchdogs.

Ofcom ruled the promotional trailer, featuring St Helens' kingsize comic, (right) for BBC Radio 4 Comedy breached broadcasting standards.

In the clip Vegas was seen sitting inside a fridge handing out food to make a pizza. The fridge door is seen closing with him still inside.

According to Ofcom, a total of 37 viewers who complained felt it was dangerous to show a fridge door closing on someone because children might copy the example.

The promotion was shown at different times, including when children would be expected to be watching television in large numbers, added the regulator.

Ofcom stated: "We would not expect material to be shown before the 9pm watershed, which could be easily imitated by children and potentially harmful.

"Promotions come upon the audience without warning and, in this case there was the added possibility that children may not initially understand the comic situation and be able to assess the action's potential for harm."

The BBC said it had swiftly responded to viewers' concerns by initially moving the promotion from the early evenings and later to after the 9pm watershed. Ofcom said it had welcomed the move. On several occasions the trailer had appeared near programmes that were likely to attract a significant number of young viewers. The BBC accepted this was an error of judgement, added Ofcom.

In response to complaints, Ofcom said the BBC had acknowledged the programme had caused "widespread concern among parents" but felt the "situation was so unrealistic, and the comic purpose so plain, that it was extremely unlikely to prompt copycat actions".