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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Hollyoaks rapped by Ofcom over ‘shameless' scenes that left fans fuming
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 Advertisement 4 Hollyoaks has been rapped by Ofcom after airing 'shameless' product placement Credit: Channel 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. Advertisement read more on HOLLYOAKS 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'. Advertisement Most read in Soaps Exclusive Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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 Fans were stunned when a huge advert flashed up on their screen during the soap Credit: Channel 4 Advertisement 4 Ste was seen checking a credit app Credit: Channel 4 4 The scene showed him using the app to determine if he could afford to buy son Lucas a laptop Credit: Channel 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.' Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy 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 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 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 Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry 'Newt' Newton. 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. 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, Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving. In 2021
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
Google is testing new ways to lure people into using AI overviews
Google TL;DR Google is testing controls to seek more insights from AI overviews on mobile. The functionality lets you select text from an AI overview and expand on the subject, focusing on just the selected portion. Besides expanding with additional information, the extra controls also let you search for images related to the selected snippet. There's no denying that Google Search's AI overviews are here to stay. While those short point-wise summaries, rather than traditional search results, may suffice for basic queries, Google has been testing additional functions that let you do more with AI overviews. In late 2024, we learned that Google was experimenting with AI-generated snippets nested within AI overviews. These snippets would emerge when a portion of the text from the AI overviews was highlighted. And now, we're seeing more evidence of that evolving with the introduction of more useful controls. We're looking at a tip from Discord user RayDacted about new controls in AI overviews. According to the tip, Google is testing features to explain a particular chunk of text in the AI overview or search for images related to that specific highlight. There's a third button that lets you just copy the text, but its functionality may be redundant as the standard overlay also shows up on top when the text is selected. The last time we observed this behavior, selecting text would automatically display another context overlay on top of the existing AI overviews, and my colleague Stephen Schenck rightly referred to them as 'AI overviews within AI overviews.' The three buttons we have seen now give users more control over what they want to do with the highlight, even though the results may be the same as earlier. Interestingly, the nested snippet appears to display a shorter summary and provides more visibility to sources. Given the limited rollout of this functionality, we cannot comment on whether these changes are final or if we can expect more controls to be added to AI overviews by default. This functionality could be a part of Google's broader change to AI overviews, which may also include its plans to insert AI-generated summaries in your Discover feed, which we learned about earlier this week. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Metro
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Controversial Hollyoaks scene that stunned fans breached two Ofcom rules
A Hollyoaks scene featuring soap legend Kieron Richardson has been found to have breached two Ofcom rules. The broadcasting regulator stepped in to investigate the Channel 4 serial after product placement was used during an episode in February. A direct reference to the credit checking company ClearScore – which was previously the show's sponsor – was made by Kieron's character Ste Hay. In a conversation with his son Lucas (Oscar Curtis), he whipped out his phone and opened the app, exclaiming: '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 was then seen to scroll through various features that the company offers, before adding: 'I really want you to make a go of this, Lucas. These guys are going to help me make it happen.' Product placement is allowed, though the guidelines in Rule 9.10 state that it shouldn't be 'unduly prominent'. Ofcom also cited Rule 9.9, which states that 'references to placed products, services and trade marks must not be promotional.' Fans were quick to pick up on the references, with one writing on X: 'The ClearScore product placement on Hollyoaks is insane. Ste was doing the most this week.' Another added: 'Not ANOTHER ClearScore ad.' According to the report, Channel 4 has confirmed that the references were made in relation to a deal with the company, which was separate from their overall sponsorship. The broadcaster also stated that the references were 'editorially justified' within the programme, and that 'part of the sponsorship and product placement agreements, potential integrations into existing storylines were proposed to ClearScore by the programme editorial team, in consultation with the programme compliance team.' They added: 'ClearScore had no editorial input into the storyline of the programme.' Their response went on to claim that as Ste was trying to rebuild his life after the death of his husband James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) and over a year spent in a coma, he was looking for ways to support his family. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Ofcom concluded their report by saying that the scene was a clear 'demonstration' into how to use the app, rather than an off the cuff reference. More Trending In response to the outcome, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: '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.' View More » Hollyoaks continues tonight at 7pm on E4. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: TV fans can't stop watching show that's 'so bad it's brilliant' MORE: Blind date takes a cheeky turn as woman, 58, announces plans to 'snog' 24-year-old MORE: The Hollyoaks moment Tom Cunningham returns after a year – but with a twist
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hollyoaks breached Ofcom rules over promotion of fintech app in one episode
Ofcom has found that Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks breached its rules by promoting a financial technology app in an episode of the soap Hollyoaks has fallen foul of two Ofcom regulations following its promotion of a financial technology application within the programme, the watchdog has determined. An instalment of the Channel 4 drama came under scrutiny after ClearScore, the show's sponsor, received both spoken and visual mentions during the broadcast. The broadcasting authority concluded that the product integration violated two separate guidelines - firstly Rule 9.10 concerning excessive prominence, which stipulates that "references to placed products, services and trade marks must not be unduly prominent". The second infringement involved Rule 9.9 regarding promotional content, which declares that "references to placed products, services and trade marks must not be promotional". The controversial product placement featured in the February 18 episode, where Kieron Richardson's character Ste Hay discussed the application with his son Lucas Hay, portrayed by Oscar Curtis, whilst considering purchasing a laptop. Viewers witnessed Ste retrieving his mobile device, displaying the ClearScore application prominently on screen whilst demonstrating its various features and capabilities before telling Lucas: "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 continued: "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 report revealed that the broadcaster acknowledged the references were made due to a product placement agreement, separate from an arrangement with the company sponsoring the soap. Channel 4 informed the regulator that the references were editorially justified and clarified that "part of the sponsorship and product placement agreements, potential integrations into existing storylines were proposed to ClearScore by the programme editorial team, in consultation with the programme compliance team." ClearScore had no editorial input into the storyline of the programme". Channel 4 further explained that Ste's character was central to the plot at the time, as he was attempting to rebuild his family after the death of a partner and spending a year in a coma. The broadcaster added: "part of this storyline (was) his return to work to support his family, which (included) rebuilding his relationship with son Lucas and providing for him". The investigation concluded that the references exceeded its editorial justifications for the storyline and became more of a "demonstration" of how to use the app rather than a passing remark. Ofcom also determined that the references were promotional as they described and demonstrated how to use the app, thereby promoting the brand. A Channel 4 representative has acknowledged the regulator's verdict, stating: "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".
Leader Live
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Next Big Thing: Meet Wrexham rockcore band Bad Earth
With the Leader's Next Big Thing feature, we hope to showcase some of the talent in Wrexham and Flintshire. If you are a group of musicians or solo singer that would love a boost towards your big break, the Leader wants to hear from you. Read more: We are looking to put the Next Big Thing on music fans' radar, just remember us when you get to the top! To be in with the chance to feature, email a few details and contact number to In the spotlight this week, is Wrexham-based rockcore band, Bad Earth... Bad Earth. Photo: Scott Frazer Photography The band is made up of Ste Coxon, 60 - guitarist and lead vocals; Karl Ditcher, 43 - bass and backing vocals; and Ben Burke, 45 - drums and backing vocals. Your musical influences, did you grow up around music? Ste: My dad had a massive vinyl collection that ranged from Beethoven to Motörhead. When he went out I'd go and play his vinyls and the first album that got me was Deep Purple In Rock. Ben: From an early age I've been around music as my dad was in the Royal Welch Fusilier Corp of drums as a side drummer, and my uncle was a guitarist, he was into the likes of Metallica, Skid Row, Iron Maiden and Ozzy [Osbourne]. Karl: I grew up with my parents' love of northern soul and Motown, and through friends anything from the Stone Roses to Vision of Disorder. Who do you admire in the industry? Karl: Maynard James Keenan, Trent Reznor, John Squire and Richard Ashcroft. Ste: When he was alive Lemmy [of Motörhead], as he did everything on his terms. Ben: The list is endless of people I admire. Are you self-taught? Yes, all three of us are self-taught. Story behind the band name Bad Earth It came from a practice session in the early days, where we had a problematic buzzing noise over the PA speakers and put it down to a 'bad earth'! What do you enjoy about performing? The energy, feeling alive and the response off the crowd. Is performing a full-time job? Unfortunately not, as there's not much money involved for underground original bands, which is a real shame. Where can people catch you live in the coming months? Shrewsbury, The York, July 22 Northants Rock Festival, July 25 Bloodstock, August 7 to 10 Favourite song (yours or anyone else's)? Ben: Our newest addition to the set, Blood on my Hands, because of the contrasting elements to the song. And its really fun to play on drums. Ste: Come What May! Our latest single release. Karl: I like them all. Anything else we should know? After bloodstock we are recording our new EP and making a video for the lead single, so watch this space! As a whole we'd love to play more home town shows like Wrexfest or Focus Wales, as when we supported Soulfly at the Rockin Chair, it proved there's a big appetite for bands like us in Wrexham.
