A Derren Brown stunt in which he suffocated himself with a plastic bag broke broadcasting rules when it was shown on a Sunday morning.
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom investigated after five complaints were made when his show, Something Wicked This Way Comes, was broadcast before the 9pm watershed.
It aired on UKTV’s Watch channel at 9.10am on Sunday, December 6.
The illusionist also swore in the programme when he muttered the word “f***” as he walked over broken glass.
Ofcom ruled the illusionist displayed “dangerous behaviour” which could be easily copied by children.
It said: “We found this pre-watershed programme broke our broadcasting rules, because it included the most offensive language and dangerous behaviour that children could easily imitate.
“The programme contained a segment in which Derren Brown placed a transparent plastic bag over his head to restrict the air supply to his brain.
"We considered that this dangerous behaviour, which children could imitate, should not have been aired before the watershed.”
“Plastic bags are a common household item that children frequently have access to without parental supervision. They also present a widely acknowledged risk of harm to young children.
“Therefore, Ofcom took the view that Derren Brown’s use of a plastic bag to asphyxiate himself was likely to be easily imitable by children in a manner that was harmful.”
UKTV said “human error” meant the show was broadcast before the 9pm watershed.
The licensee said additional safeguards had been introduced to rule out further mistakes.
