TV channel apologises for screening Rolf Harris-voiced kids show

Disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris narrated 16 episodes of Olive the Ostrich, which was still playing on NZ TV.

A television channel has apologised after a children's show featuring the voice of convicted paedophile Rolf Harris was broadcast this week.

Olive the Ostrich screens on the Nick Jr channel on Sky's pay TV platform in New Zealand.

After his conviction for sex offences, including the indecent assault of a 7 year-old girl, Harris was dumped from the show and comedian Alexei Sayle provided new narration for the programme.

But to the disgust of a child protection organisation, an episode featuring Harris as narrator was broadcast this week.

Nick Jr today apologised for the broadcast.

"The Nick Jr channel in New Zealand is programmed internationally and the team has investigated this matter as a global priority," the channel said.

"After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that only one episode featuring Rolf Harris was still in the system and aired by technical error."

The channel said it "deeply regrets" the airing and its priority was to provide a "safe and friendly environment for pre-schoolers" through its content.

Nickelodeon spokeswoman Alana Chetner said the offending episode was only aired in New Zealand.

She said the episode was programmed in Europe.

Child Matters chief executive Anthea Simcock said Harris was not an appropriate person to feature in any show for children, considering his imprisonment for sex offences last year.

Sky said it implemented a policy months ago to remove all the Harris-voiced episodes from its schedule and the episode aired in error.

Alexei Sayle had to provide new narration for all 104 Olive episodes after Harris was convicted.