RIOTOUS children copy the worst behaviour they see from celebrities on television, the Government's school discipline czar has warned.

Sir Alan Steer, former head of Seven Kings High School in Ilford, claimed that abusive soccer stars fuelled playground violence while sex scandals encouraged teenage promiscuity.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, Sir Alan called for a ban on televisions in children's bedrooms to minimise the influence of popular culture on the young.

He claimed parents should spend more time rather than money on their children, and must be prepared to turn down their demands on occasion.

Sir Alan, was speaking as he published his final report for ministers into classroom discipline.

His study comes amid growing concerns over the breakdown of respect and standards of behaviour in schools and wider society.