Tights ad banned from the Tube for being too raunchy

A tights firm has slammed rules on the London Underground after they were ordered to change their planned advert to pass Transport For London’s strict rules. 

Heist Studios were warned by Transport for London’s advertising agency that they would have to cover up a topless model in the planned advert – even though the woman was photographed from the back. 

The advert features a topless female dancer striking an aerial pose while only wearing a pair of black tights. She has been photographed from the rear and it is not possible to see her breasts. 

Heist Studios wanted to use the image, left, on their new Tube advertising campaign, but were told the photograph was unacceptable because it was clear that the model used was topless

In April 2015 Protein World caused controversy with this advertisement for their products 

However, before the advert could be displayed at London Underground stations, the company were warned they would need to cover up a section of the model’s back. 

Transport for London’s advertising is managed by Exterion Media, who emailed Heist Studios about the need to alter their planned poster before it could be displayed. 

According to the Standard, an email to the company warned they could not accept an advert which shows a ‘topless model’. 

The email said: ‘Whilst I know this is only showing a bare back, it still depicts a “topless” model. If we could add a boob tube around the back I think this would be passed.’

Ellie Howard from Heist told the Standards: ‘We were told to cover up the offending area — her back. It’s bonkers.

‘We were very excited about sharing our image of a strong, female dancer wearing our tights, especially since women’s underwear ads are usually so heavily sexualised, but it seems that the back of a female dancer is unacceptable.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Heist Studios, Exterion Media and Transport for London for a comment.