BBC Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire ‘breached BBC guidelines’ over Yorkshire Tea advert
BBC Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire has reportedly risked “breaching” the broadcaster’s guidelines by appearing in a TV advert.
Lancashire, 60, appeared in an advertisement for Yorkshire Tea, which sees her launching an investigation into a missing packet of biscuits, which poses a risk to the BBC’s strict guidelines on mimicking characters due to the similarities with her police detective role.
The 60-year-old’s BAFTA-winning role in the crime drama series Happy Valley has been applauded by viewers and critics.
According to reports, the actress could find herself in hot water after seemingly reprising the role for the jokey advert.
As outlined in the BBC’s guide of Actors and Artists Replicating Their BBC Roles in Other Output, the company has strict rules when it comes to duplicating a character elsewhere.
It is currently unknown whether the BBC’s permission was requested or granted over the role.
GB News has contacted the BBC, who declined to comment, as well as Lancashire’s representation over the reports.
The minute-long ad eventually sees Lancashire realising she is in fact guilty of eating the biscuits.
Although no reference to her Happy Valley character was alluded to in the commercial, it seems a clear nod to Lancashire’s Catherine Cawood role.
The BBC regulation states: “Actors and artists who perform in BBC output should not appear in promotional work, including advertisements, in a way which mimics or replicates their on-air roles for the BBC.”
In 2021, DIY SOS star Nick Knowles appeared in a Shreddies advert as a “helpful builder,” which resulted in the presenter’s role in the heartwarming series under threat, The Mirror reports.
Knowles responded by vowing to sack his management, according to sources close to him.
He was, however, kept at the helm of the popular show despite the controversy.
Despite her immense Happy Valley success, it was reported last year Lancashire had “quit” acting.
“Sarah adores acting but the idea of producing had been niggling at her,” a source revealed in March 2024, opening up on Lancashire’s reported decision to focus her attention on her own production company instead of acting.
They added to the Mail: “She decided, once Happy Valley was over that it was a good time to get it under way. She is so excited.
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“It has been so exciting for her that even when she won her outstanding achievement award at the National Television Awards last year, she had to dash home as she was up early the next day, telling everyone she is producing now.
“She may have found a new passion, Sarah has never loved the limelight anyway.”
Lancashire launched Via Pictures after bowing out of Happy Valley in explosive scenes last year opposite sparring partner James Norton.