The BBC has been left embarrassed after a mix-up over plans for a Jeremy Clarkson-voiced sat-nav.
BBC Worldwide, the organisations commercial arm, had given TomTom the go-ahead for a sat-nav featuring the voice of Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson.
Around 54,000 units were produced before the BBC's editorial policy team pointed out that Clarkson's role on Top Gear prohibited him from endorsing car-related products.
TomTom has been stopped from making more, but can sell the existing units at £189 each, with the BBC's share of the proceeds going to the Children In Need charity.
Under the conflict of interest section of the BBC’s editorial guidelines, presenters must take particular care not to endorse any product or service which could be covered in the programmes on which they work.
Clarkson was not involved in the deal, and didn't stand to make any money from it.
As editor, Tim is responsible for the media content, planning and production of AM's multiple channels (AM print and digital magazines, website, social media and contributing to our events planning). He interviews and writes about as many franchised dealer groups and UK divisions of motor manufacturers as possible, to explore the issues facing UK motor retail and understand what solutions dealers and suppliers are using to overcome these.
Irishboy4 - 17/10/2011 14:35
Under the conflict of interest section. What a joke, so Clarkson and the rest of his buffoons on that awful show were allowed to malign British produced cars such as the Vauxhall Vectra and several Rover models, resulting in both the Luton and Longbridge plants closing, without any repercussions to Top Gear. This would never have happened in France if Citroen or Peugeot had been criticised in a similar manner by a tv programme.