Friend Defends Knightley's Abuse Ad

09 May 2009

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Keira Knightley's actor boyfriend Rupert Friend has hit out at a U.K. advertising watchdog after the actress' anti-domestic violence advert was banned from British television.

In the harrowing promo the British beauty plays an actress who is beaten by her lover after he accuses her of having an affair with a co-star.

The footage - made for U.K. charity Women's Aid - ends with Knightley being repeatedly kicked on the floor.

He tells Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper, I think that banning an advert because it is shocking is quite the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of

It was deemed too violent for U.K. TV schedules by advertising approval body Clearcast.

But Knightley's real-life partner and Pride and Prejudice co-star is fuming the ad won't make it on to the small screen - blasting Clearcast's decision as "ridiculous".

He tells Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper, "I think that banning an advert because it is shocking is quite the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. What is shocking is that women are getting hit. The point is to shock people".

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