Blackadder-like Rik Mayall ad lands Dave with a Ofcom rebuke

Mayall plays the Bombardier in a sponsorship deal with brewery Wells Bombardier, who sponsor prime time shows on the channel. The character has more than a passing similarity with the Blackadder character Lord Flashheart, also played by Mayall. 

 

The ad landed the channel in hot water after suggesting he received oral sex from a woman named Summer in a Sweet Kiss of Summer ad campaign.

 

Advertising rules ban the linking of alcohol and sexual attractiveness or success.

 

UKTV argued that the post-9pm campaign was ‘cartoonish’ and that the character didn’t consume any alcohol.

 

However, Ofcom found that Dave had still breached the rules as the character was ‘intrinsically linked’ with alcohol.

 

Brewery Wells Bombardier sponsors prime time on the channel.

 

Mayall is currently working on a spin-off sequel to Bottom for BBC Two, Hooligan’s Island, which should be making its way to our TV screens next year.

 

13 people complained about the ad.

 

Other comedy shows which drew complaints in the last fortnight include Alan Carr Chatty Man for animal welfare, trailers for Celebrity Juice, repeats of Only Fools and Horses and One Foot in the Grave on Gold, and a trailer for the Daily Show on Comedy Central.

 

The Last Leg with Adam Hills also drew a total of 17 complaints, most for disability discrimination and offence.

 

View the offending ad below: