Ghost show cleared of deception

The Living TV show is hosted by Yvette Fielding and Derek Acorah

Ghost show Most Haunted has been cleared of fraud by TV watchdog Ofcom, following complaints of deception.

Viewers complained that the Living TV show, featuring "psychic" Derek Acorah, deceived the public by claiming to find evidence of paranormal activity.

But Ofcom ruled that Most Haunted was an entertainment show, not a legitimate investigation into the paranormal, and should not be taken seriously.

Most Haunted, presented by Yvette Fielding, is now in its sixth series.

Spin-off show Most Haunted Live was also investigated, following the complaints.

Ofcom ruled that the TV show contains "a high degree of showmanship that puts it beyond what we believe to be a generally accepted understanding of what comprises a legitimate investigation".

"On balance, we consider that overall Most Haunted/Most Haunted Live should be taken to be a programme produced for entertainment purposes.

Balls of Steel was cleared of breaching programme guidelines

"This is despite what appear to be occasional assertions by the programme that what viewers are witnessing is real."

"As such this programme should be seen in the light of shows where techniques are used which mean the audience is not necessarily in full possession of the facts."

A Touch of Frost, starring the recently knighted Sir David Jason, was criticised for an episode which showed the brutal murder of a mother and her daughter before the watershed.

"The sinister build-up in the family home, the attack on the mother and the images of her bloodied body were all potentially disturbing elements, particularly to children," concluded the monthly Ofcom report.

However, Channel 4 prank show Balls of Steel, which drew 71 complaints from viewers, was cleared of breaching programme guidelines.

The show came to public attention when the film crew squirted Hollywood star Tom Cruise with water at the London premiere of War of the Worlds.