In the run up to the new series of Peep Show, David Mitchell has been left defending himself after expressing his disappointment at the decision to release the first episode online, prior to its TV premiere.

Series seven of the comedy starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb premieres this week, over a year after the last series finished. The first episode of the new series has been avalaible to watch online since last Friday 19 November, to Mitchell's apparent disappointment.

The comedian, who also appears on Mock the Week, wrote on Twitter: 'Apparently the 1st episode of Peep Show series 7 is already available on 4OD. I don't like that very much.'

Mitchell was keen to emphasise that he is not against the channel's streaming website: 'I don't mind it being available on 4OD - but as a TV show, it should premiere on TV.'

This isn't the first time Mitchell has spoken out on online issues. In a column for The Guardian in July, he defended The Times' online paywall, saying: '[The criticism of the paywall] alludes to the absurd notion that because people are accustomed to getting content for free, they have a right to do so.'

Series six of Peep Show ended last October with Mitchell's character Mark about to have a baby with his ex-wife Sophie (played by Olivia Colman). The show's unique point-of-view filming style has earned it much critical acclaim.

The new series premieres this Friday 26 November at 10pm on Channel 4.

You can watch in online now at: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/peep-show/4od/player/3139622