Big Brother draw broke ad rules
Nestle, Channel 4 and Endemol failed to have an independent observer present when a winning number was picked, according to the Advertising Standards Authority
Big Brother draw broke ad rules
4.07, Tue Sep 12 2006
Big Brother's Golden Ticket draw to select a new housemate breached prize promotion rules, industry watchdogs have announced.
Nestle, Channel 4 and Endemol failed to have an independent observer present when a winning number was picked, according to the Advertising Standards Authority.
Officials launched an investigation after 11 viewers complained about the way model Susie Verrico won her place in the house.
The Golden Ticket promotion involved 100 tickets being hidden inside KitKat bars.
A live lottery-style draw was then broadcast in which one ticketholder's number was picked.
Some viewers thought the draw was rigged and 43-year-old Susie had been pre-selected as winner.
The ASA has criticised Nestle, Channel 4 and Endemol for failing to ensure an independent observer was present immediately before and during the live draw.
The ASA ruling said: "We investigated whether the promotion was conducted under the supervision of an independent observer.
"On this point, the promotion breached the Committee of Advertising Practice Code clause 35.7 (prize promotions)."
It told the competition's promoters to ensure competitions complied with the code in future.
The ASA rejected complaints from viewers who thought the ball numbers were rigged.
An independent observer had signed a check-sheet proving that 34 numbered balls had entered the draw.
Slow-motion footage showed the winning ball was "undoubtedly" Susie Verrico's winning number 14, the ASA found.
In a joint response Nestle, Channel 4 and Endemol said an observer was not present during the draw because Big Brother rules prevented outsiders coming into contact with housemates.
They said the draw was carried out in the presence of 10 housemates under continuous monitoring by a production team while watched live by five million viewers.
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