A COMPLAINT has been upheld over the "unnecessarily derisory tone" of an item on North-East duo Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway television programme.

The Broadcasting Standards Commission directed London Weekend Television to broadcast a summary of its findings relating to the complaint of "unjust or unfair treatment", made by the owner of a roadside caf.

A Mr Beale claimed his Silver Service business received unjust treatment at the hands of the Geordie presenters in an item screened on Saturday, June 29 last year.

Mr Beale, who was in the audience, was the subject of a surprise "set-up" when his business was unfavourably compared to the Savoy Hotel.

The item posed the question of whether the Savoy or Mr Beale's caf would provide the best venue for a romantic dinner.

Despite being presented as innocent lampooning of Mr Beale's business, the commission took the view that, "the tone of the item, comments made, and the presenters' reaction went beyond a humorous comparison and were unnecessarily derisory".

The adjudication added: "In these circumstances, the commission considers that it was not justified to use Silver Service as a foil for humour.

"It therefore finds that the item was unfair. Accordingly, the complaint is upheld."