Simon Wall as featured in the poster for Naked Flame

What a flaming cheek! A fireman's saucy calendar image has helped to spark a controversy across the Irish Sea.

Simon Wall, who is based in Harrogate, appeared in the 1999 British Firefighter's calendar, and the image was reproduced in advance publicity for the farce Naked Flame at the Belfast Opera House.

Unfortunately, the pictures proved too hot for the Rev Alan Smythe, a Democratic Unionist councillor and a member of Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church.

He declared: "The publicity photograph featuring a semi-naked man speaks volumes. Such productions strike at the very heart of decency and morality in society. What they are doing here in the guise of comedy is feeding the baser lusts of the human heart."

He and his supporters mounted a picket of the theatre, complete with candles and hymn singing, which was covered by the local press and TV.

When asked how he felt about "feeding the baser lusts of the human heart", Simon, who was previously based in Acomb, York, said: "I am quite flattered, but I cannot see what all the fuss is about. The calendar's on sale in every High Street and no-one has ever complained about this image.

"It's just a bit of innocent fun, and the calendar raises a lot of money for the Firefighters Benevolent Fund."

Naked Flame is at the Grand Opera House in York between April 17 and 22.

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