[Kerry]

The X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos could reportedly be banned from making her signature arm gesture at the start of each broadcast, after Ofcom investigated complaints that it constitutes advertising of her perfume.

The N-Dubz singer starts each show by holding her arm up sideways revealing a tattoo saying, The Female Boss, which is the name of her new fragrance launched last month.

The media regulator has received a number of complaints that showing the tattoo breaks rules governing the promotion and reference of commercial products by on-screen talent.

Ofcom is also said to be investigating a segment in ITV2 spinoff show, The Xtra Factor, which referred to The Female Boss and discussed Tulisa's signature gesture.

The watchdog will judge whether brandishing the Female Boss tattoo so clearly to the camera is in breach of its broadcasting rules, reports The Guardian. Should the regulator decide that it is, Tulisa could be banned from doing the gesture in future broadcasts.

Ofcom has not yet decided whether to launch a separate investigation into swear words emblazoned on Rihanna's shoes during last night The X Factor results show.

The ITV1 series has regularly got into trouble with Ofcom, including a ruling in January that the show was in breach of product placement rules after presenter Dermot O'Leary appeared to encourage viewers to download songs from guest acts on the programme.

Last month, ITV1's This Morning programme was criticised by Ofcom for allowing Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden to promote a group of law firms she was backing.

~DS


You can't even tell what it says

[Tom4784]

Ridiculous really.

[Callum]

Some people will complain over anything, they need to get out more.

[Ramsay]

I cant believe people would go through the effort of complaining over a tattoo
Kill me now

[Kerry]

Looks from here like it says "dig female office"

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Callum

Some people will complain over anything, they need to get out more.

Originally Posted by Karl

I cant believe people would go through the effort of complaining over a tattoo
Kill me now

I'd love to know how people spotted words on Rhianna's shoes. Seriously?

[Jack_]

Product placement rules still aren't relaxed enough. Get the **** over it. I mean seriously?

[Kerry]

I'd love to see them try and enforce it. What will they do, make her wear long sleeves every week? You'll still see her arm otherwise

[Jords]

How utterly pathetic!

[King Gizzard]

Well to be honest, thousands of people are going to google what her tattoo says and then one of the first results will be her fragrance. and rules are rules

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Well to be honest, thousands of people are going to google what her tattoo says and then one of the first results will be her fragrance. and rules are rules

I bet it was you who complained

Twice

[Jords]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Well to be honest, thousands of people are going to google what her tattoo says and then one of the first results will be her fragrance. and rules are rules

-not sure if serious-

[King Gizzard]

I'm being serious

and she knows what she's doing by doing ti

[Jords]

[MTVN]

I see where Nathan's coming from, it is advertising her perfume, it doesn't bother me and I don't think it should be banned but if you're gonna enforce rules like that then I can see why this would come under it

[King Gizzard]

Yep. It's almost better than proper advertising because it's subtle and will make people think what it is

[Jords]

Maybe she will have to use the other arm

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Jords

Maybe she will have to use the other arm

I know which gesture she should make

[Kerry]

Mind you, she'd be accused of advertising BBC2....

[Jords]

[Jack_]

I've never really understood the ban on product placement on British TV, or what's wrong with it. In fact, from what I understand, all American TV shows, such as X Factor USA, have free phone voting and they aren't allowed to charge, and they fund that through product placement with sponsors such as Pepsi.

Now if the judges desk were to have Coke glasses over here in return for free voting, I really don't see the problem? I take it the reason against it is argued because it's unfair on companies who can't afford product placement deals? Well, if so, tough ****.

[King Gizzard]

Deffinitely, and if they have any sense they'll start doing it, could get millions from advertising judges water etc

But just while it's banned I think this technically counts as smart advertising, which she can get away with but I do see where the complaints are coming from

[Kerry]

I can see it now, Tulisa coughing up for advertising costs and the "P" product placement logo coming up just for her tattoo

[Visage]

I've never once wondered what it says on her arm.

Until now....

[Black Dagger]

Some people need to get a ****ing hobby.