Laura Kenny accused of promoting watches on BBC

Cycling icon Dame Laura Kenny has come under fire from BBC executives for promoting a luxury watch during her on-air appearances at the Paris Games. The five-time Olympic gold medallist, who serves as a brand ambassador for Breitling, wore a £2,750 watch while working for the BBC. Kenny tagged the brand on her Instagram, leading to Breitling sharing images of her on their social media, which raised concerns about adherence to BBC advertising regulations. The BBC's guidelines prohibit on-air talent from endorsing products or brands they have financial ties to, including any items they wear during broadcasts. A source from the BBC confirmed that while Kenny is no longer on air, she will be required to remove any tags related to the BBC from her posts. This incident highlights the strict rules in place to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain the integrity of the broadcaster. In addition to the Breitling watch, Kenny also promoted a Reiss outfit she wore on air, stating she had been "gifted" the clothing. This is not the first time the BBC has addressed similar issues; previous warnings were issued to Ski Sunday presenters Graham Bell and Chemmy Alcott for promoting their skiwear brand during broadcasts. Kenny, who was honored with a Damehood in 2021 and announced her retirement from cycling in March, expressed her satisfaction with her career, stating it was the right time to step away from the sport after a successful journey.