On the London Underground, hot dogs are no joking matter.

Comedian Ed Gamble has been ordered to change a subway station poster campaign for his new standup show because the image of a hot dog violated the transit network�s ban on junk food advertising.

The poster for the show, �Hot Diggity Dog,� showed a mustard- and ketchup-smeared Gamble beside a half-eaten hot dog on a plate.

A bemused Gamble replaced the wiener with a cucumber, and the poster was approved.

Gamble, who is diabetic and co-hosts the �Off Menu� food podcast, said he could see the point of the ad rules, which are intended to help curb obesity in children.

�But the new posters promote something way more harmful � the idea that cucumbers pair well with ketchup and mustard,� he said.

Gamble isn�t complaining about the extra publicity the case has generated.

�The posters are making way beyond their value now,� he told the BBC on Thursday.

Since 2019, Transport for London has banned ads for foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt from the city�s subway trains and stations, buses and bus shelters. It also bars advertisements that promote unhealthy or unrealistic body shapes.

�Following a review of the advert, we advised that elements would need to be removed or obscured to ensure it complied with our policy,� the transit operator said. �A revised advert is now running on the network and we are always happy to work with people to ensure adverts follow our policy.�

Last year a poster for the play �Tony n� Tina�s Wedding� featuring a large wedding cake fell foul of the rules. TFL ordered the cake to be cut from the ad.

The ad policy has attracted the ire of Britain�s tabloid press, with The Sun slamming �killjoy TFL bosses.�

(AP)