The BBC has spoken out on two of its stars, husband and wife duo Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, collaborating with Marks and Spencer for a new ad campaign.
The corporation’s own guidelines state stars shouldn’t use their star power for financial gain while they’re currently on air.
Daly has been the face of Strictly Come Dancing for the past few months alongside Claudia Winkleman and she’ll be back on screens for a festive special on Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, Kay hosts the mid-morning slot on BBC Radio 2 after stepping into the seat left by Ken Bruce – which resulted in a loss of a million listeners.
Although Kay is currently taking time off air but will return soon.
While the BBC usually publishes its stars’ salaries as part of its annual report, Daly’s haven’t been made public for the past few years.
Vernon Kay stepped into Radio 2’s mid-morning after Ken Bruce’s exit
BBC
With Strictly being produced by BBC Studios, the corporation isn’t obliged to publish its stars’ salaries.
Meanwhile, Kay hasn’t served in his new role on BBC Radio 2 long enough for his salary to be made public.
However, the last time Daly’s salary was made public was back in 2016-2017 when she took home a cool £350,000-£399,999.
Bruce earned a similar when he was on-board with the BBC in the role Kay now occupies.
A BBC source told the Mail on Sunday about Kay and Daly’s new venture: “The rules are quite simple – if you are BBC staff you are not supposed to endorse products.
“You can potentially do it when your show is not on air.
“Between them, they earn at least £600,000 from their work at the BBC which is paid for by licence fee payers, it all seems a little bit rotten. How much money do they need?”
A BBC spokesperson has responded to the deal, telling GB News: “Presenters declare all commercial commitments and can continue with those commitments as long as they do not associate the Programme or the BBC with their commercial activities.”
Despite the Beeb’s stance, it hasn’t stopped members of the public criticising and mocking the pair’s ad campaign to compliment their six-figure salaries.
Replying to one clip on Kay’s Instagram page, one follower quipped: “Free food – sound- paid to sit on the floor and eat it. Sound.”
“More money for people who are already grossly overpaid,” a second hit out while a third remarked: “This is what you call a ‘Christmas bonus’.”
“3 weeks off the show now. Can’t be bad,” added a fourth while another weighed in: “Lovely I’m sure, IF you’re not on a low income.”
And a sixth simply commented on Kay’s post: “Kerching.” (sic)
