Frosty trouble for Bake Off show (From Salisbury Journal)

Frosty trouble for Bake Off show

3:53pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

The Great British Bake Off has run into trouble after breaking the BBC's own editorial standards.

One viewer wrote in to the Radio Times to complain that the Smeg fridge freezer company logo was seen on screen 37 times in one episode of the series, which features Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

Andrew Smith, from Manchester, also complained the firm's website said it had "once again teamed up with the show to supply six iconic ... fridge-freezers".

Emma Willis, the show's executive producer, said there was "absolutely no product placement in the series".

She said the BBC asked Smeg to remove the offending claim from its website which had gone up without its "blessing".

A BBC spokesman said: "It is inevitable due to the nature of the show, the baker's activities and the set, that some equipment will be seen in shot but production are always looking to minimise product prominence where possible.

"A range of products from different suppliers are used on the show to ensure the bakers can fairly compete and meet their challenges. Love, the independent production company, had a loan agreement with Smeg to supply the fridges. That loan agreement did not meet editorial guidelines therefore it is being revised for this series and hire payments that meet the guidelines will be made."