removing bar on top of uiNavigationController?

I want to remove the top bar of a UINavigation controller.

Code:

-(void)viewWillAppear:(BOOL)animated {
	self.navigationController.navigationBarHidden = YES;
...

- (void)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView
didSelectRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath {	
	self.navigationController.navigationBarHidden = NO;

I simply hide the navigation bar as the main table view loads and I show it as I push the next view so that I can go back.

The problem with this approach is that as soon as the back button is pressed the top bar is removed and for the split second while the view is animating (popping) back, I've a big ugly white bar where the back navigation bar was just moments ago.

I have been setting all possible background colors to black but it's still white. If I can get the color under the navigation bar to be black that would work.

 

Robbie mate, legend! I really need to learn to read the documentation.

Cheers!