BBC urged to sack hockey star Sam for gambling own goal
tHe BBC was under pressure last night to sack a presenter who has been promoting a gambling firm without stating that she has a commercial relationship with the company.
Sam Quek, 31, who hosts 606, radio 5 Live’s football phone-in, was warned that she was breaking advertising rules but she continued promoting footie5 on twitter to her 175,000 followers.
the Olympic hockey gold medallist – who took part in I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2016 – regularly posted about the company’s weekly prediction game in 2019 with a link to its website.
But despite being warned by the advertising Standards authority, she continued to promote the firm without declaring the posts as ads.
She was reported again and the breach was settled after she agreed to take the post down, although others remained online yesterday. If she breaks the rules for a third time, the aSa said she would likely face an investigation.
Carolyn Harris, of the all-party parliamentary group for gambling, said: ‘I would have hoped that a professional sports person would have been far more responsible. She should consider her position at the BBC carefully.’
alex Macey, of campaign group Gamvisory, said: ‘to continue posting about a gambling company without clearly saying that it is sponsored is wrong...
‘She should resign or be sacked.’
Jermaine Jenas, a Match of the Day pundit and fellow footie5 ambassador, has also posted about the firm without declaring them as ads but no complaints have been made.
the Daily Mail’s Stop the Gambling Predators campaign continues to call for greater protection for addicts.
the BBC said: ‘Sam is a freelance broadcaster. While working in a BBC capacity, she adheres to our guidelines.’ Miss Quek’s agent has been contacted for comment.