spilling the tea
Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire risks wrath of BBC bosses over ‘breached guidelines’ for new Yorkshire Tea advert
Sarah appears to have reprised her role as Catherine Cawood for the one-minute long commercial
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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire reveals future on Coronation Street return - after praising soap for launching her career
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.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here's a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman's war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he's tasked to investigate while Wallander's job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
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