Strictly Come Dancing bosses ‘to ‘investigate Nadiya Bychkova, Giovanni Pernice and Kai Widdrington for breaking BBC rules’ by dancing at £500 a night promotional parties
- Dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Giovanni Pernice and Kai Widdrington may have fallen foul by agreeing to dance at promotional parties around the country
- The shows, which mimic the famous show but is not affiliated with the BBC, offer fans a chance to enjoy a ‘weekend away with your favourite Strictly stars’
- All three feature promotional on travel firm Donahey’s ad for ‘Dancing With The Stars Weekends’ costing fans £500 per person for the three-night-break
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have reportedly opened an investigation after stars appeared to break strict BBC advertising rules.
Dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Giovanni Pernice and Kai Widdrington may have fallen foul by agreeing to dance at promotional parties around the country.
According to The Sun the shows, which mimic the famous show but is in no way affiliated with the BBC, offer fans a chance to enjoy a ‘weekend away with your favourite Strictly stars’.
Drama: Strictly Come Dancing bosses ‘investigate dancers Nadiya Bychkova (pictured) Giovanni Pernice and Kai Widdrington for breaking BBC rules’
All three feature promotional on travel firm Donahey’s ad for ‘Dancing With The Stars Weekends’ costing fans £500 per person for the three-night-break.
A source told the publication: ‘As a publicly-funded corporation, the BBC has to be careful with its commercial guidelines but there is a clear grey area when it comes to performers.
‘The dancers being booked to perform at private events isn’t the same thing as them mimicking a scene for an advert.’
Oh No: The trio may have fallen foul by agreeing to dance at promotional parties around the country (Giovanni Pernice, right, Kai Widdrington, left)
Trouble ahead? All three dancers feature promotional on travel firm Donahey’s ad for ‘Dancing With The Stars Weekends’ costing fans £500 per person for the three-night-break
While the company’s website states that they are not endorsed by the cooperation, their website features a version of the show’s famous glitterball as well as a similar purple colour scheme.
They say guests will ‘see the stars of Strictly Come Dancing perform up close and personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other — learn to dance with them, plus hear all about their Strictly journeys.’
BBC policy states: ‘Actors and artists who perform in BBC output should not appear in promotional work, including advertisements, in a way which mimics or replicates their on-air roles for the BBC.’
Twins: While the companies website states that they are not endorsed by the cooperation, their website features a version of the show’s famous glitterball as well as a similar purple colour scheme
Judge: While judge Anton Du Beke is also expected to perform at the shows with his professional partner, and fellow Strictly star Erin Boag
Other stars also at risk of the BBC’s wrath include Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez and Karen Hauer who are also booked to appear.
While judge Anton Du Beke is also expected to perform at the shows with his professional partner, and fellow Strictly star Erin Boag.
MailOnline have contacted representatives for Nadiya Bychkova, Giovanni Pernice and Kai Widdrington and BBC for comment.
Boogie: Other stars also at risk of the BBC’s wrath include Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez and Karen Hauer who are also booked to appear (Amy pictured on the show with co-star Karim Zeroual)
It comes after Stacey Dooley was reportedly secretly let go from her Glow Up hosting gig and replaced by Maya Jama in July 2020 after ‘furious’ BBC bosses discovered she had broken the broadcaster’s rules by starring in a beauty ad for hair brand Clairol.
A source told The Sun at the time bosses weren’t impressed that she was working with a glamorous hair brand – with the advert showing her dancing in a leotard and sitting in hair and makeup with freshly coloured locks – when Glow Up is a beauty show.
Last year it reported that Nick Knowles was facing ‘the sack from DIY SOS’ for his appearance as a builder in a new Shreddies commercial.
Advert: It comes after Stacey Dooley was reportedly secretly let go from her Glow Up hosting gig and replaced by Maya Jama in July 2020 after ‘furious’ BBC bosses discovered she had broken the broadcaster’s rules by starring in a beauty ad for hair brand Clairol
The advert is said to breach the broadcaster’s strict advertising rules, which ban TV talent from trading-off their on-screen personas.
Some fans at the time branded the BBC as ‘inconsistent’ for coming down on Knowles while allowing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker to continue advertising Walkers crisps.
During a crunch Zoom meeting in early 2021 Nick was reportedly told by bosses he would have to get the ad taken off air or quit the show that helped launched his career.
Exit: Stacey announced she was leaving Glow Up in October 2020 after fronting the series for two previous runs
MailOnline understands the issue was the similarity between Knowles’ character in the advert and his role as the presenter of DIY SOS – and whether it breaches a rule banning stars from replicating their BBC roles in commercials.
The broadcaster’s rules state that any promotions involving on-screen talent should not ‘imitate, suggest a reference or connection to or ‘pass off’ BBC content’.
In the advert, Nick plays a builder who pours a bowl of the cereal into his hat, while calling himself ‘Nick get it done Knowles’.
‘While Nick is technically a free agent, he appears to have used his connection to DIY SOS in the advert which is totally out of order in the eyes of the BBC.’
The source added that Knowles has been handed an ultimatum and his future on DIY SOS may already be out of his hands.
In a joint statement from the BBC and the presenter shared last month, MailOnline was told: ‘Both the BBC and Nick are keen to resolve this matter and are working together to seek a solution’.
Furore: The claims come after Nick Knowles was reported to have upset corporation bosses after playing a jobbing builder in a new Shreddies ad (pictured with the DIY SOS team in 2008)
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