'Doctor Who' fans angered by pop-up Norton

Doctor Who fans have accused the BBC of ruining the climax to last night's episode with a pop-up advert for Over The Rainbow.

In the final few seconds of the episode, which featured the return of fan favourites River Song (Alex Kingston) and the Weeping Angels, a cartoon version of Graham Norton appeared on screen to promote the reality series, which aired directly after Who on BBC One.

The cartoon version of Norton then proceeded to gyrate his hips over a tight camera shot of The Doctor's face at a crucial moment in the story.

"Disgusted with the BBC for flashing up Graham Norton adverts during the final seconds. Way to go to spoil the drama and take the viewer out the moment," one reader wrote on Digital Spy's reaction page for the episode.

Another, Craig from Suffolk, added: "Great stuff until the trailer for the next programme destroyed any tension and took my interest away. Someone should lose their job for that."

Meanwhile, Matthew Graham, executive producer of Ashes To Ashes, tweeted: "I take it everyone else was livid that the Beeb put a gurning cartoon Graham Norton across the exciting cliffhanger climax of Dr Who. Please BBC - you're not a US network, you're so much better than they are. Don't cheapen yourself. The public know what's up next."

A BBC spokesperson said: "We apologise for the timing of Saturday night's trail."

> Overnight Ratings: Kingston's 'Who' return pulls in 6.6 million