The media's coverage of paedophilia was spoofed

Channel 4 said the advert had been presented in the same way as the show, with the intention of highlighting the media's sensationalist treatment of the issue.

It added it had taken care to show the trailer after the 9pm watershed.

Brevity

But a statement from the Commission stated: "The Committee acknowledged both the editorial remit of Channel 4 to provide innovative and challenging material.

"It is also recognised that Channel 4 had made strenuous efforts to safeguard the welfare of the children who took part in the filming.

The trailer was too subtle and too refined

BSC

"However, the Committee took the view that the brevity of the trailer would have made it difficult for the audience to sense it was a satire or that it was promoting a satirical programme.

"It was too subtle and too refined for this to be easily understood."

The BSC ruled that Brass Eye had exceeded the acceptable boundaries for a programme trailer.

Apology

Singer Phil Collins says he was fooled into taking part

Hundreds of people complained when the show first went to air in July.

Chris Morris hosted the programme, which was a satire on the media's sensationalism of the issue of paedophilia.

The show included mock TV news reports into suspected paedophiles, their behaviour, and how the public should take measures to keep their children safe.

A number of celebrities, including Phil Collins were duped into backing a fictional anti-paedophile campaign.

The channel issued an apology after the regulators said the show went too far.