logo
Hollyoaks rapped by Ofcom over ‘shameless' scenes that left fans fuming

Hollyoaks rapped by Ofcom over ‘shameless' scenes that left fans fuming

The Sun16-07-2025
HOLLYOAKS has been rapped by Ofcom after airing 'shameless' product placement that viewers slammed as blatant advertising.
The Channel 4 soap breached two broadcasting rules when it featured the ClearScore app during a February 18 episode.
4
The financial tech brand was name-checked in dialogue and prominently shown on screen.
Now, media regulator Ofcom has upheld those concerns, ruling the segment broke guidelines around undue prominence and promotional content.
Rule 9.10 of the broadcasting code states that "references to placed products, services and trade marks must not be unduly prominent", while Rule 9.9 adds they "must not be promotional".
In the episode, Ste Hay — played by Kieron Richardson — is seen discussing the app with his son Lucas, portrayed by Oscar Curtis, as they consider buying a new laptop.
Ste pulls out his phone, opens the ClearScore app, and explains: 'See this? They've shown me some options – based on my financial situation and it looks like I can get you that laptop for your studies.'
He then tells Lucas: 'I really want you to make a go of this, Lucas – (gesturing to the ClearScore app on his phone) and these guys are going to help me make it happen.'
The regulator concluded the segment felt more like a demonstration than a natural part of the storyline — and effectively acted as a promotion for the brand.
Channel 4 admitted the app was featured as part of a product placement deal, separate to ClearScore's existing sponsorship of the show. However, it insisted the inclusion was 'editorially justified'.
In a submission to Ofcom, the broadcaster said: 'Part of the sponsorship and product placement agreements [was that] potential integrations into existing storylines were proposed to ClearScore by the programme editorial team, in consultation with the programme compliance team.'
It also stressed: 'ClearScore had no editorial input into the storyline of the programme.'
Hollyoaks reveals Ethan's murderer after he was pushed over a balcony on his wedding day
The plot at the time revolved around Ste rebuilding his family life after losing a partner and spending a year in a coma.
Channel 4 said his return to work and efforts to reconnect with his son were central themes — with financial struggles part of the arc.
But Ofcom wasn't convinced. It concluded that the references to ClearScore exceeded what was justified by the storyline and became promotional in nature.
A Channel 4 spokesperson responded to the ruling: 'We acknowledge Ofcom's decision and will review its findings carefully. Our compliance responsibilities are of paramount importance to us and we will continue to engage with Ofcom and our partners to ensure our content remains compliant.'
The moment also sparked fury online, with some fans complaining over the blatant advertising.
4
4
4
One viewer wrote at the time: "Not the ClearScore ad in #Hollyoaks, couldn't have been more obvious if they tried."
Another reacted to the scene, saying: 'Ste and this ClearScore product placement is so weird.'
Meanwhile, a third viewer shared their frustration: "Is the ClearScore advert really starting to aggravate anyone else or is it just me?"
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said that all of the product placement on Channel 4 programming adheres to the relevant regulation, and is not connected to show budgets.
They added: 'Product placement is a long established part of many TV shows, as well as content on other platforms. ClearScore is a natural fit with Hollyoaks which attracts viewers who, like the show's beloved characters, face financial challenges in the current economic climate.'
Channel 4 announced the ClearScore sponsorship last year, with the partnership going live in October.
The deal includes ClearScore idents across Hollyoaks episodes on E4, Channel 4, and streaming platforms, as well as ads on Channel 4's YouTube channel.
The agreement, brokered by Medialab and creative agency And Rising, also includes in-show product placement as part of the licensing arrangement.
Hollyoaks has previously been known for addressing serious social issues, and the addition of product integration comes amid wider industry budget pressures.
Budget cuts at the corporation has seen the episode order slashed to just three 20 minute episodes per week and a mass cull of cast and crew.
In September, it aired a dramatic year-long time jump to explain the huge changes to the cast and relaunch the show as a three-nights a week soap.
An insider said: "There's a worry high profile cast members may see this as an opportunity to leave the show.
"While they're all very supportive of the soap, the reduced budget and seeing friends and colleagues leave after so many years takes its toll."
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn't have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was "hell on earth."
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah's eating disorder storyline was the first of it's kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry 'Newt' Newton.
Nico's main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap's resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 - when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC's series, taking over from Ruby Rose.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Moment woman carries seagull home from night out after finding it outside Wetherspoons… but gets instant karma
Moment woman carries seagull home from night out after finding it outside Wetherspoons… but gets instant karma

The Sun

time28 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Moment woman carries seagull home from night out after finding it outside Wetherspoons… but gets instant karma

THIS is the hilarious moment that one drunken pub-goer took a seagull home and got instant karma. Erin Punton, 22, says she was walking home from a night out when she noticed the seagull outside a Wetherspoons in Northumberland. 5 Feeling more than a little bit tipsy, Erin scooped up the bird and began her journey home. Filming herself on the way, Erin sang her new winged friend a ballad. The video shows her belting Valerie by The Zutons - famously covered by Amy Winehouse - with the bird underneath her arm. Dressed in a pink top and a leather jacket, she can be seen shaking her hair out of her face while continuing to clutch onto the seagull. Throughout the hilarious footage, she puts a variety of filters over the camera - including one moody, vintage effect. Eventually, she staggers into her house and proclaims that the seagull is a 'beauty'. However, she then adds: 'He actually wants to stop in my room and everything but I've got nowhere for him.' Erin has revealed that when she woke up the next morning, the mysterious bird was still there. The 22-year-old said: 'I saw the bird outside Wetherspoons and managed to pick him up without even a thought. 'I don't even know what made me pick him up. 'I put him in my sitting room with a blanket. Royal Mail deliveries AXED in seaside village after terrified posties are forced to take drastic action 'When I woke up in the morning, I'd forgotten and he was just floating around the sitting room. 'I dropped him off at the vets the next day in a box and was told he had bird flu.' Horrified, Erin admitted that she had to 'bleach her whole house' after discovering her new fluffy friend was ill. She says the whole incident has left her feeling 'sick'. The news comes after the 13 seaside towns where feeding seagulls could land you with a fine were revealed. Public health and anti-social behaviour laws, introduced in 2009, were brought in to fight nuisance behavior from gulls. Feeding seagulls can cause an increase in swooping attacks, persistent begging and damage to property. Several towns have also introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to clamp down on efforts to feed gulls. 5

The six little-known Sky TV remote ‘codewords' to skip annoying ads, entertain your kids & unlock 5-star films instantly
The six little-known Sky TV remote ‘codewords' to skip annoying ads, entertain your kids & unlock 5-star films instantly

The Sun

time28 minutes ago

  • The Sun

The six little-known Sky TV remote ‘codewords' to skip annoying ads, entertain your kids & unlock 5-star films instantly

TELLY fans can instantly upgrade their Sky-watching experience just by learning a few handy remote tricks. You can easily skip past ads, track down endless entertainment for your kids, and unlock the very best movies in a matter of seconds. It all works using the voice controls on Sky TV remotes. Most modern Sky telly remote controls feature a microphone button. You might have stared at it hundreds of times and never pressed it. But it can grant you dozens of different shortcuts – and I've picked out six of the best. If you get into the habit of using these special codewords and phrases, you'll save loads of time. SKY TV VOICE TRICK #1 – SKIP ADS First up is the ability to skip ads quickly. Now this won't work if you're watching live telly – but it's genius if you're viewing pre-recorded content. If you manually fast-forward through an ad break, it's pretty slow. But with the voice remote, you can just say: "Fast-forward three minutes." It'll whisk you right past the ads and back to your beloved telly. SKY TV VOICE TRICK #2 – TOP FLICKS You may have already known that you can search for movies with your voice by saying its name or asking for a genre. Sky customers can claim delicious freebies in new giveaway scheme But that might serve up some rubbish flicks that aren't worth your time. So instead, try asking for "movies rated five stars". That'll pull up a list of top-rated movies for your perusal, and hopefully ensure that you have a solid movie night. An alternative is to ask for "movies rated one star" if you want a bit of a laugh. 4 SKY TV VOICE TRICK #3 – FAST APPS Sometimes you're watching telly on a live channel or app and then want to view something else. Scrolling through menus and between apps can be a real faff. It's actually much quicker to just voice-request the name of the app. All you need to do is say "open Netflix" and it'll pop right up. You'll be shocked at how much time this can save you – but it's one of those tricks that you need to get into the habit of using, so you can really reap the rewards. SKY TV VOICE TRICK #4 – QUICK TELLY One of the biggest problems with watching TV in the modern age is the amount of choice you have. It can feel impossible to actually pick something because there's just endless telly out there. One solution to this is Sky's recommendation feature. 4 Just hit the microphone button and ask: "What should I watch?" This will feed you telly that you actually want to see based on your viewing habits. And it even works across Sky as well as third-party apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. SKY TV VOICE TRICK #5 – WORDS OFF Sometimes subtitles find themselves mysteriously activated and you can't work out why – or how to switch them off quickly. ANOTHER SKY TRICK TO TRY Earlier this week, we revealed a clever Sky trick... You can unlock loads of classic games on Sky for free. Just load up your Sky TV, go to the apps menu, and look for Games by It's packed with top games including retro titles like Pac-Man, Breakout, and Tetris. There are kids games too, and quizzes that you can play together as a family. You don't need a special controller. Instead you simply play using your Sky TV remote. The only catch? You'll have to sit through ads – but you won't pay a penny to play. Picture Credit: The Sun / Sky / Tetris And other times, you might want them on but can't remember how to bring them up. Rather than faffing around with settings, just use your voice. You can just ask for Sky to "turn subtitles on" or "turn subtitles off" and it'll happen in an instant. SKY TV VOICE TRICK #6 – FUN FOR KIDS It's summertime, which means many parents will be at home trying to entertain their children. 4 And Sky's telly service is jam-packed with kid-friendly content. If you want to find it all very quickly, simply say "Open Kids section". This will take you straight to a treasure trove of child-friendly telly that Sky has curated.

Shoppers go mad for £20 furniture from B&M that doubles up as organisation for your plants
Shoppers go mad for £20 furniture from B&M that doubles up as organisation for your plants

The Sun

time28 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Shoppers go mad for £20 furniture from B&M that doubles up as organisation for your plants

SHOPPERS are going wild for a £20 item at B&M which doubles as a set of shelves and a stand for your plants. The budget-friendly retailer says that the stocks are low, as customers race to their local stores. 3 B&M is known for its incredible savings and bargains, with its products regularly going viral online. One eagle-eyed shopper spotted the Spaceways 6 Tier Plastic Storage stack in their local store and immediately took to social media to share their find. The huge set of shelves can be ranged in a variety of ways, from three separate stands to one tall stack. It is perfect for storing pictures, plants or books and has dimensions of 38.5 x 33 x 151cm. The shelf comes in black and, according to B&M, it is 'easy' to assemble. The set costs just £20, but, according to B&M, stocks are low. The customer who spotted the item posted their find in Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook and shoppers from across the country have gone wild. One excited Facebook user posted: 'ooop need this for plant pots!!!!' Another said that they loved the original poster's way of setting their shelves up, saying: 'Ooooo I like how you've put it together. Fab idea. I want one now.' Others had creative ideas of their own, with one clever shopper saying: 'This could be good to use as shelving in a shed.' Shoppers are racing to B&M for Molly-Mae's latest collection & there are some incredible scents for less than a fiver The news comes after another wave of B&M's products went viral on social media. The Boucel Barstool in Beige is currently retailing for just £1, instead of the usual price of £20. According to one customer though, only the beige barstool is on sale - meaning fans are racing to shops before it sells out. B&M regularly slashes the price of its products, as it clears out its stock to make room for exciting new products. The Peyton Leather Effect Bench is now half price at £45, down from £90. The Chicago table is currently selling for just £40, after being reduced from £110 - a 63 per cent saving. The set also includes two benches, making it a great choice for fine dining. Asda has launched its luxury table and chair set, with the rattan garden-set. The sell-out product costs £149 and comes in a light, summery design which makes it perfect for enjoying the warmer weather. Meanwhile, Tesco's own rattan-set is retailing for just £16 as it clears its shelves. Originally costing £25, the supermarket has slashed £9 off the cost of the popular garden product. When comparing products, it is important to check the specifications so you buy the item that is best suited for your purposes. COMPARE PRICES FOR THE BEST DEAL JUST because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn't mean it's always a good deal. There are plenty of comparison websites out there that'll check prices for you - so don't be left paying more than you have to. Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers. Here are some that we recommend: Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results. Price Spy logs the history of how much something costs from over 3,000 different retailers, including Argos, Amazon, eBay and supermarkets. Once you select an individual product you can quickly compare which stores have the best price and which have it in stock. Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one. CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of. 3

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store