The League of Gentlemen have berated the BBC for not publicising their show more - and say it deserves a prime-time BBC1 slot.

Star Mark Gatiss believes the corporation have pidgeonholed the comedy as 'cult' and sidelined it as such.

The opening episode of the third series attracted 2.4million viewers to BBC2 on Thursday night, according to unofficial overnight figures, which is13 per cent of the total audience.

But Gatiss said: "I'm sure this show is bigger than the ratings let on.

"The best thing about the BBC is that they leave us alone, but I do feel they could push it a little more.

"It's just annoying when you see fucking cooks on the cover of the Radio Times every week. The BBC is always saying how proud they are of us, so why can't we have a Radio Times cover?

"They see us as a cult show, but I know it could be much more than that."

But co-star Reece Shearsmith was more philosophical about the situation, which Gatiss criticised in the new November issue of FHM.

"It's difficult because it's our life," he said. "We've not thought about anything but the League Of Gentlemen since we finished the last series two and a half years ago.

"It's a big deal for us, but a third series I think you become a bit of a fixture by then."