It is one of the most famous adverts of all time, hailed for its simple, wholesome message, that captured the imagination of the post-war generation.

'Go to Work on an Egg', however, has now been banned by a Government watchdog because it doesn't promote a balanced diet.

The egg industry wanted to re-run the ads - filmed in 1957 starring Tony Hancock - to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic campaign and the British Lion mark.

However, the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre (BACC) which approves all television adverts has blocked it on the grounds that eating an egg for breakfast every day is not a 'varied diet'.

If the BACC had bothered to look at the ads a bit more closely, they would have seen eggs accompanied by sausage and bacon in one clip and in most of the other clips, toast 'soldiers' and a cup of tea with milk were part of this un-balanced diet. So anyone following this diet for breakfast is at risk? Tosh!

BACC spokesman Kristoffer get-a-life Hammer pointed out that Tony Hancock was shown eating two boiled eggs, without any accompanying tomatoes or beans to balance them out. What a twat!

It's obviously time for the work of the BACC to be scrutinised a bit more closely. Such a bureaucratic, dictatorial Government watchdog is no longer needed. They have truly lost their way.

When the British Egg Marketing Board launched the 'Go to Work on an Egg' ads, no-one could have anticipated just how famous they would become. Watch the ads and find out for yourself.

The 1950s ads starred Tony Hancock, the legendary comedian, and the 'Go to Work on an Egg' slogan is attributed to Fay Weldon, although she claims she was just the manager of the team who created the famous line.

Tony Hancock is probably most famous for Hancock's Half Hour which kicked off in November 1954, becoming a British institution for almost two decades.

Set in 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam, it followed the adventures of those who lived in one of the most famous fictional streets in Britain. Hancock led a notable cast, including Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams. By 1956, the series had become so successful it transferred to TV and the British sitcom was born. The radio show continued to run concurrently with the television version until 1959.

You can now see Hancock in action, along with Patricia Hayes and Pat Coombs - eight of the ads from the original Go to Work on an Egg campaign can be downloaded, see links below.

Note: Right-Click on the links and Save As is the best way to download these files

Introducing the Housekeeper, Introducing_the_Housekeeper.wmv 2.7MB

Sold his Soul, Sold_his_Soul.wmv 2.7MB

Burst Pipe, Burst_Pipe.wmv 2.7MB

Crossword, Crossword.wmv 2.6MB

Electricity Bill, Electricity_Bill.wmv 1.3MB

The Average Englishman, The_Average_Englishman.wmv 1.4MB

Who's the Star, Whos_the_Star.wmv 1.4MB

Violin, Violin.wmv 2.7MB