ASA To Investigate BB Golden Ticket ‘Fix’

The Advertising Standards Authority is launching an investigation into the Big Brother ‘golden ticket’ competition amid claims that the draw was a fix.

The watchdog is launching the investigation after receiving complaints from viewers and newspapers claiming that the competition’s eventual winner, Suzie Verrico, knew she would be entering the house before she was selected “at random”.

The ASA will examine whether the draw to select her had been made in accordance with the obligatory laws of chance under the supervision of an independent observer.

It will also be asking Channel 4 and Nestlé to supply evidence to prove that the prize draw was conducted according to the requirements of the advertising code.

One hundred golden tickets were placed inside the chocolate bars, which went on sale four weeks ago (see Big Brother Seeks Contestants Through Wonka-esque Promo). Verrico was selected, supposedly at random, from those who found the tickets in a special live TV broadcast.

At one point more than 20 tickets were on sale on auction website eBay, with prices reaching up to £3,000 a ticket.

ASA: 020 7580 5555 www.asa.org.uk

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com