A photograph of a naked Graham Norton covering his genitals with a picture of the Pope is not offensive, advertising watchdogs have ruled.

The chat show host struck the pose for the cover of London's Time Out magazine, and the image was also displayed in Tube stations across the capital to advertise the St Patrick's Day edition.

Next to Norton was the line: "Holy Saint Patrick's! Graham Norton bares all in our guide to the London craic, from comedy to the best Irish pubs".

However, the poster attracted a number of complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority, objecting that it was offensive to Roman Catholics.

In its defence, the magazine argues that the photograph was liight-hearted and "did not challenge the question of faith or suggest that people did not have a right to their beliefs".

Watchdogs have today ruled in favour of Time Out, saying that although the poster had offended some Catholics, it was "unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence".