Did The Bill's adverts break Advertising Rules on Wed 28th?

Not sure on this one folks...

During tonight's (Wed 28 Sept) Bill on ITV1, during the first advertising break, there was an advert featuring the actor who plays Adam Okaro advertising eggs.

Now I thought if you starred in the show, you couldn't also appear in the adverts? I maybe wrong. But he certainly was there...!

I have honestly never heard that one! Although I would be interested to find out whether it's true...

By the way, the advert I am referring to was shown in the ITV Central region - not sure about other areas. :

Apparently that is true, if this clash occurs whether it be sponsorship or even a voiceover, the advert cannot be shown. Such as adverts for First Plus can't be shown during Countdown (whenever it returns), that sort of thing.

Thanks Steve. What an odd little one....

RULE! I meant rule...

It does seem that there must be more to the rule than that.

For example you'd get a guest on CD:UK who's album would then be advertised in the break, or even more common was Cat Deeley voicing over the ad for an album.

Presumably these are ok, its just the presenter/actors who can't appear in person in both the programme and advert

Well, Adam Okaro DID appear in person during the advert and spoke also - he looked into a fridge to get out some eggs , although I think he was also sporting a beard which he doesn't do in The Bill.

Not sure about voice overs, but if someone appears ina programme they are not allowed in an advert during it. AIUI adverts are supplied with lists of who appears in them so they can be compared with programme synopsis and scheduled around clashed programmes

Is there an reason for this, or just another OFCOM jem?

Know what your saying abou CD:UK - but would that still apply with Cat Deeley now she's quit! Though she's not the host, she could be deemed to be associated with the programme.


As for the rule stated above - completly true - and IIRC newsreaders and soap stars are completly banned from adverts, but whether The Bill is classed as a soap or a drama, I'm not sure!


I know C4 got into trouble a couple of months ago for an ad during Big Brother featuring Davina - even though she wasn't hosting that show, but her voice did appear as it included highlights of the eviction.


Also, how would this rule apply to say lookalikes and twins. I know there is a car ad who couldn't get Bradley Walsh so they got a lookalike instead - could that be shown during Corrie?

And the same question about twins (though rare I imagine!) - but in theory could a person appear in an advert during a programme presented by their identical twin!

DID ANYONE SEE THE ADVERT???

It was him alright! Adam Okaro tucking into some eggs!

I know which advert you mean - for the Lion mark on eggs from the British Egg Council (it's true!)

I wasn't shown on Meridian (I don't think) but was shown earlier during Emmerdale...