Strictly Craig’s bed ad broke BBC rules
CRAIG Revel Horwood is at the centre of a row after signing a money-spinning advertising deal that broke strict BBC rules.
Bed company Dreams used the star’s Strictly Come Dancing catchphrase Fab-ulous to plug him as the face of the firm’s campaign.
BBC editorial guidelines state any promotional work by its stars should not “mimic or replicate their on-air roles”.
The broadcaster has previously said that “includes any iconic Strictly phrases being used for commercial associations”.
But a promotional picture of a blurred Craig cradling a log was shown on Dreams’ Instagram feed, alongside the star’s famous Strictly catchphrase.
It said: “Log’s made a new fab-u-lous friend! Can you guess who it is?”
But the plug was quickly taken down after the BBC was alerted to the use of the word.
Strictly judge Craig, 56, also critiques his own “danceinspired” sleeping positions for Dreams’ Sleep Like a Log guide book. He is seen adopting a number of different dance poses while lying on a bed in sparkly pyjamas.
In one, he says: “The tango sleeping position is about creating some distance between your bodies, while remaining in the spooning position.”
A BBC insider not involved with Strictly said: “It appears on the face of it to be clearly mimicking his on-air Strictly role, in that he is offering advice as to how specific dances should be performed... just as he would be to any contestant appearing on the show.” BBC sources accepted that the use of the word Fab-ulous was a breach of the rules, but said the error was “amended and removed” as soon as it was identified.
Craig’s spokesman denied other parts of the campaign from the Dreams guide book was a breach because it related to his work as a dancer and choreographer, which predated Strictly.
The spokesman said: “He was asked to create these sleep positions due to his
profession and expertise as a choreographer and dance creator, a role he doesn’t have on Strictly. The dances identified are common dance terms and not unique or exclusive to Strictly.”
Presenter Nick Knowles was forced to “step back” from the BBC’s Children in Need DIY SOS special when he appeared in a 30-second Shreddies TV advert.
It featured him as a builder helping a family while describing himself as “Nick ‘get it done’ Knowles”.