[James]

Dancing on Ice, amongst others could be affected.

Last Updated: Monday, 5 March 2007, 18:08 GMT

ITV to suspend premium phone-ins

ITV is to suspend all premium-rate phone-ins, interactive competitions and votes from Tuesday.

It means that quiz channel ITV Play will come off air while independent auditors conduct a complete review of interactive services on ITV programmes.

"It is critical that our viewers have absolute confidence in the services that we offer," an ITV statement said.

The broadcaster has admitted a mistake with a vote on X Factor led to viewers being overcharged by £200,000.

It also under-charged viewers who used the red button to vote in a competition to win a luxury holiday.

KEY AFFECTED PROGRAMMES
ITV Play
This Morning
Loose Women
Dancing on Ice
Who Wants to be a Millionaire

ITV's review comes amid an investigation into phone-ins on the BBC's Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4's Richard and Judy.

"We believe that all programmes currently on air are compliant," said ITV's chief operating officer, John Cresswell.

"However, in light of recent concern around this issue, something affecting every major broadcaster, we are conducting this independent review to ensure that ITV is meeting all relevant codes and regulations."

ITV said its interactive services would return on a programme-by-programme basis, with each production facing scrutiny in the investigation.

Reality show Dancing on Ice will only return at the weekend if phone-in procedures have been shown to be sound.

The independent review will also cover programmes broadcast in the past two years, and the results will be made public.

Premium-rate phone line regulator Icstis welcomed the review, calling it "evidence of a broadcaster taking its responsibility to its viewers seriously".

The watchdog is already investigating allegations that viewers were encouraged to ring in to the You Say, We Pay segment on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show even after all contestants had been chosen.

It is also examining BBC One's Saturday Kitchen over allegations viewers were told they could ring up to appear on a show which was recorded just minutes after the announcement was made.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6420885.stm