A film trailer starring Jason Statham has been banned from television after complaints from viewers.
An advertisement for The Mechanic offended some due to 'a stream of violent imagery', the Advertising Standards Agency ruled.
The promo included gory scenes of an exploding head and a man being speared through his leg by Statham. 
The advert was screened during a break in an episode of Glee, which some critics thought was inappropriate given the age of some of the show's viewers.
The action thriller, directed by Simon West, is a remake of Michael Winner's 1972 film of the same name, which starred Charles Bronson in the Statham role.
The film, which came out earlier this year, stars Statham as a professional assassin who covers up his 'hits' to make them look like accidents or suicides. 
The ASA ruled the film's two trailers were unsuitable for some viewers, despite being screened after the 9pm watershed.
The watchdog said the ads were still likely to cause offence and therefore should be banned from British TV screens. 
The ASA concluded the ad was inappropriate because it was likely a large amount of viewers aged under 16 would have been watching the Glee episode.
A statement read: 'We considered that the ad was inappropriate for children and were therefore also concerned that a significant proportion of children had been exposed to the violent imagery.'
Statham is currently in between film roles after wrapping shooting on The Killer Elite.
Yesterday, he was spotted with his model girlfriend Rosie Huntington-Whiteley visiting a friend in Los Angeles.
An advertisement for The Mechanic offended some due to 'a stream of violent imagery', the Advertising Standards Agency ruled.
The promo included gory scenes of an exploding head and a man being speared through his leg by Statham.
Violent imagery: The trailer for Jason Statham's film The Mechanic has been banned from television
The advert was screened during a break in an episode of Glee, which some critics thought was inappropriate given the age of some of the show's viewers.
The action thriller, directed by Simon West, is a remake of Michael Winner's 1972 film of the same name, which starred Charles Bronson in the Statham role.
The film, which came out earlier this year, stars Statham as a professional assassin who covers up his 'hits' to make them look like accidents or suicides.
Extreme: Statham's character shoves a spear into a man's leg in one scene from the trailer
Run for your lives: More death and destruction as a bus blows up
The ASA ruled the film's two trailers were unsuitable for some viewers, despite being screened after the 9pm watershed.
The watchdog said the ads were still likely to cause offence and therefore should be banned from British TV screens.
Thirteen viewers complained to the ASA that the promo was offensive and distressing.
Lions Gates, the studio behind the film, said it was unavoidable that sensitive members of the public complained about the 15-rated film trailer.
Lions Gates, the studio behind the film, said it was unavoidable that sensitive members of the public complained about the 15-rated film trailer.
Down time: Statham and his girlfriend Rosie Huntington-Whiteley visiting a friend's house in Los Angeles yesterday
The ASA concluded the ad was inappropriate because it was likely a large amount of viewers aged under 16 would have been watching the Glee episode.
A statement read: 'We considered that the ad was inappropriate for children and were therefore also concerned that a significant proportion of children had been exposed to the violent imagery.'
Statham is currently in between film roles after wrapping shooting on The Killer Elite.
Yesterday, he was spotted with his model girlfriend Rosie Huntington-Whiteley visiting a friend in Los Angeles.
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