The BBC has responded after viewers accused AJ Odudu of breaking the broadcaster’s advertising rules.
The 35 year old co-host of ITV2’s Big Brother revival was a guest on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and was participating in the Send To All segment when she mentioned her Google Pixel phone, which she has promoted in several adverts and Instagram posts.
Viewers reckoned AJ was sneakily plugging the Google Pixel phone, but it turns out no rules were broken. A BBC Spokesperson told Daily Star: “Ahead of broadcast of the programme, it was confirmed to the BBC that AJ Odudu was no longer under contract to promote any smartphone related organisations.”
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Asked why she didn’t use an iPhone, AJ replied: “It’s a Google Pixel. Actually a few years ago I thought, iPhones every time I dropped one the screen would smash.”
(Image: BBC)
She added that she switched to a sturdier screen after breaking her phone five times in a week. Since October 2022, AJ has been promoting #TeamPixel across YouTube, Instagram and TV adverts as the new face of its Pixel 7 phone with Real Tone camera function.
The BBC has strict rules against hidden ads, stating that advertisements must be clear and not mixed with regular shows. The BBC’s rules make sure that adverts are clearly marked, so everyone knows that they are seeing a commercial message, so sneaky or secret ads aren’t allowed.
(Image: BBC)
Fans on X, a social media platform that used to be Twitter, have been commenting a lot about this. One user said: “BBC needs to investigate the commercial conflict of interest when Google Pixel advertiser Odudu appears in a mobile phone feature on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.”
Another person saw the ad too and noted: “Slight advertising there for the Google Pixel.” One more fan didn’t believe the story and commented: “So she dropped the iPhone five days in a row really? Don’t insult my intelligence as she is contracted to Google phones unbelievable thinking the general public won’t realise that.”
(Image: BBC)
Another wrote: “AJ fulfilling her Google Pixel contract.” And one person pointed out: “She’s got a Google Pixel because she did the adverts and they gave it to her for nothing.”
Fans can watch Michael McIntyre’s Big Show at 6.50pm on Saturdays on BBC One.
Michael McIntyre’s Big Show airs Saturdays at 6.50pm on BBC One
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
