X-Rated: The Ads They Couldn't Show

Every year, thousands of commercials are produced that never reach our TV screens, deemed too shocking to broadcast. To reach the screen, they must clear a multitude of obstacles, from fussy clients to obsessive regulators and restrictive rights issues. X-Rated examines these outlawed pieces of advertising, revealing the most explicit, controversial and shocking ads never seen. These are ads that break all manner of taboos, from sex, violence, blasphemy, homosexuality, animal cruelty, rapping pensioners, swearing children, suicidal toys and naked athletes to Kylie in her undies on a bucking bronco. Amongst the contributors are advertising executives, producers and censors. The programme also takes a look at the embarrassing world of western celebrities in Japanese ads.