THE Channel 4 idiots who squirted Tom Cruise with water at the premiere of the 'War of the Worlds' film during one of his famous walkabouts probably did more damage than just a soaked star.

They were, apparently, working on a new 'comedy' programme, but the unfunny result is likely to be that A-listers like Cruise will worry about personal security and think twice about meeting fans en masse .

Channel 4 tried to defend it as a 'comedy prank on celebrities' which was 'not intended to cause offence.'

Cruise's own assessment of them as 'jerks' was nearer the mark.