Chinese officials have dared to tread where many a weary British parent can only dream, banning a reality television show on the grounds that it is “vulgar”, “coarse” and “lacks artistic standards”.

Issuing the ban against the Pop Idol copycat The First Time I Was Touched, a Communist Party watchdog denounced the programme as misleading and detrimental to society and the image of television.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television halted the show with effect from Wednesday, saying: “The design of the show is coarse. The judges’ behaviour lacks grace. The programming lacks artistic standards. The tone of the show has cheapened. The songs performed are vulgar.”

The Chongqing Television production is the latest in a string of talent shows based on the Pop Idol model that have captivated Chinese audiences. Would-be singing stars demonstrate their talents, or lack of them, before a panel of three women judges — Liu Xiaoqing, a film star, the Taiwanese singer Ke Yimin and Yang Erche Namu, an author and self-publicist.

In the first season, contestants competed to win the right to appear in a 100-episode show about six people who live together. Since then there have been reports that the programme has released sensational and fabricated news to attract viewers. One report said that the director was seriously ill, while another said that Ms Liu had admitted to an affair with one of China’s most famous male stars. Newspapers claimed that the host had been reported to be gay and had promised contestants a chance to shine if they slept with him.

The watchdog did not specify which episode it had found to be offensive. However, it seems likely that a programme that was aired on August 10 may have prompted officials finally to censure the show, which had scandalised the censors several times since its launch last year. In that episode, a young male singer ended up in a slanging match with all three judges, during which he reduced Ms Ke to tears and called Ms Yang “stupid”. She told him to get out.

While such incidents may thrill Chinese audiences tired of a diet of state-approved soap operas and revolutionary dramas, they are likely to draw the ire of the watchdogs of public probity — especially in the weeks before the 17th party congress, the most important meeting of the ruling Communists for five years.

The ban — the first to be imposed on a television talent show — was announced just a day after the General Administration of Press and Publication announced a far-reaching crackdown on false news and illegal publications. The campaign, which is due to run until October 15, also aims to halt the leaking of state secrets in the press and to stop reporters from taking bribes or extorting money from companies in return for favourable news coverage.

It is crucial for the party and its prestige to ensure that media controls are effective to prevent any disruptions, bad news or unapproved information damaging its credibility.

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