Strictly Come Dancing bosses have launched an investigation into an event company over £500 weekend parties featuring the show's stars.
Nadiya Bychkova, Giovanni Pernice and Kai Widdrington - three of the show's professional dancers - all appeared in an advert for a private travel company promoting a dance-weekend on the travel firm website.
Although Strictly-themed events are exceptionally popular across the country, none are officially associated with the show and the BBC has strict rules about their stars and what promotional work they can carry out - with presenter Stacey Dooley and Nick Knowles being punished for breeches in the past.
BBC policy states: "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."
Travel firm Donahey have been promoting their three-night breaks, dubbed 'Dancing With The Stars Weekends', at resorts such as Alton Towers and Celtic Manor, with the three Strictly dancers unknowingly featuring heavily on the online adverts for the break.
The unofficial three-night break offers would-be guests the chance to "see the stars of Strictly Come Dancing perform up close and personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other — learn to dance with them, plus hear all about their Strictly journeys."
The website also boasts their own version of Strictly's famous Glitterball trophy, in addition to mimicking the purple colour palette the BBC show uses for its branding and promotional images.
It Takes Two spin-off host Janette Manrara is also booked to appear at the unofficial event, alongside her dancer husband Aljaz Skorjanec who quit the BBC show last year.
Speaking to The Sun regarding the event, a source said: "As a publicly-funded corporation, the BBC has to be careful with its commercial guidelines but there is a clear grey area when it comes to performers.
"The dancers being booked to perform at private events isn’t the same thing as them mimicking a scene for an advert."
The BBC have confirmed they are investigating the matter regarding the company promoting the dance weekends. Strictly Come Dancing declined to comment.
Speaking to Mirror Online, a BBC insider explained how Nadiya, Giovanni and Kai "have done nothing wrong" and are not being punished by the BBC but have simply got "muddled up" in the investigation looking into the travel firms use of Strictly Come Dancing's likeness and branding.
Over the years, several BBC stars have been reprimanded for breeching the station's strict advertising rules - with Stacey Dooley reportedly replaced as the presenter on Glow Up due to starring in a beauty ad for hair brand Clairol.
Speaking in 2020, a source claimed to The Sun how the BBC was "furious" with the former Strictly Come Dancing winner for appearing in the advert, in which she danced in a leotard and showed off her freshly-dyed tresses.
Maya Jama has hosted Glow Up from series three onwards.
