SARAH Lancashire has risked the wrath of BBC bosses over ‘breaching guidelines’ for a new Yorkshire Tea advert.
The Happy Valley actress, 60, played police officer Catherine Cawood in the smash-hit Beeb drama.
She bowed out of the role for good during an explosive finale after three series last year.
But in a brand new advert for Yorkshire Tea, Lancashire appears to reprise her stern, no-nonsense character.
The Bafta-winning star has appeared on screen as a security guard – attempting to solve a crime at the office.
Sarah can be seen launching an investigation after a packet of biscuits go missing.
The commercial ends as she realises she actually ate the biscuits.
Sarah’s role in the one-minute advert could land her in hot water with BBC bosses.
The public service broadcaster has strict guidelines when it comes to their talent mimicking their characters for commercial activities.
It’s outlined in the Beeb’s guide Actors and Artists Replicating Their BBC Roles in Other Output.
The rules state: “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.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire reveals future on Coronation Street return – after praising soap for launching her career” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6336699304112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]It’s unclear if permission was sought by Sarah from bosses prior to appearing in the Yorkshire Tea advert.
Meanwhile, Nick Knowles was told he faced the axe from DIY SOS over his appearance in an advert for Shreddies cereal in 2021.
Nick, presenter of the show since 1999, had threatened to sack his management over it, according to people close to him.
He was later spared of being dropped from the beloved renovations programme.