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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Brogan-Leigh Hurst

Anna Vakili and Jodie Marsh among reality stars warned for breaking advertising rules

Love Island star Anna Vakili and twins Jess and Eve Gale have been named in a list of six reality stars who have broken Instagram advertising rules.

Belle Hassan, Jodie Marsh and Francesca Allen have also been warned by the Advertising Standards Authority after ignoring "repeated warnings and help and guidance on sticking to the rules".

Influencers are required to use #ad on any sponsored post, to ensure their audience is not misled.

But the six stars have gone against the rules and have been named and shamed as the consequence.

The regulator shared a post on Instagram which read: "NAME has been sanctioned by the UK's ad regulator for not declaring ads on this platform.

Love Island's Anna Vakili (PALACE LEE / SplashNews.com)
Twins Eve and Jess Gale (PALACE LEE / SplashNews.com)

"Be aware that products and services recommended or featured by this influencer may have been paid for by those brands.

"Our non-compliant social media influencer page at asa.org.uk is regularly updated to inform consumers of those who break these rules."

Anna, Jess, Eve, Belle, Jodie and Francesca are not the only celebrities who have been added to the watchlist.

Amber Gill is set to appear on the list this week after failing to declare her post was sponsored.

Vicky Pattison, Geordie Shore's Scott Timlin and Tyne-Lexy Clarkson are also on the watchlist and will remain there for at least three months.

Shahriar Coupal, Director of Advertising Policy & Practice at the ASA, said: "For the minority of influencers that repeatedly fail to disclose their paid-for posts, it’s important their social media followers are told.

"In a new front of enforcement activity, we’re using targeted ads to highlight the breaches of six social media personalities to the very same audience they’re seeking to influence.

Francesca Allen has been called out (francesca_allen/Instagram)
Belle Hassan (INSTAGRAM)

"When we see the necessary changes to their disclosure practices, we’ll call off the ads. But, where non-compliance persists, we’ll look to more direct forms of enforcement."

Meanwhile ASA chief executive Guy Parker said: "We prefer to work with influencers and brands to help them stick to the rules, but the first influencers to be named on this list have been given every opportunity to treat people fairly about their ads.

"It’s not difficult: be upfront and clear when posts and stories are ads. If this doesn’t bring about the changes we expect, we won’t hesitate to consider further sanctions."

The Mirror has contacted their representatives for a comment.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

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