British TV watchdog sees red over magician "Dr Gore"

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - A British talent show that featured an illusionist who pretended to chop off his hand before cutting open an assistant with a power-saw broke broadcasting rules, a watchdog said on Monday.

Britain's television regulator Ofcom said Dr Gore's blood-soaked performance on "Britain's Got Talent" on television channel ITV was unsuitable for weekend family viewing.

Dr Gore had reached the semi-final of the series to find an up-and-coming act to play before the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.

The show's hosts, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, warned viewers that he "wasn't for the faint-hearted." McPartlin said: "He can make an entire audience feel sick in seconds."

Dr Gore walked on stage in black leather biker boots and a blood-stained doctor's coat.

He appeared to slice off his hand with a large knife before asking the audience: "Do you want to see some gore?"

He then took an electric rotary saw to a young helper lying on a trolley and pretended to rip out his organs.

The act ended when the three judges -- Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden -- said they'd seen enough.

Cowell said: "It was horrific. It wasn't even magic."