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Wot no hi-viz? Duffy ad cleared of safety breach

ASA says singer's cycling scenario was 'fantasy'...

A TV commercial featuring the singer Duffy on a bike is not guilty of breaking health and safety regulations, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled.

The Welsh singer was seen riding around a supermarket and through darkened streets in the advert for Diet Coke. After it was aired, there were 22 complaints that Duffy wasn’t wearing reflective clothing or using lights on her bike, and that children might copy her behaviour.

Coca-Cola said it carried out a "vigorous" assessment of highway code regulations. Duffy had been wearing a black and white sequined top that reflected light and gave her a "luminous glow" so that she stood out in the dark. The soft drinks company added that the bike had lights.

The authority said the cycling sequence was clearly "unreal and fantastical" and the ad was not shown around programmes children were likely to be watching.

It also decided that older children would understand cycling round a supermarket was not a realistic situation.

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7 comments

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londondailyphoto | 14 years ago
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One note, one speed. Perfect.

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cat1commuter | 14 years ago
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I think it is the cycling = danger reflex. If you don't take regular exercise, then not cycling is more dangerous. When I pass a fat driver sitting in their car in traffic smoking I think "that's three things counting against your long term health".

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Tony Farrelly | 14 years ago
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I didn't see any either, but luckily she did have that reflective hat!

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DaveP | 14 years ago
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"The soft drinks company added that the bike had lights"

The film crew might have had some very big lights, but I don't see any on the bike.. FAIL!

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SimpleSimon | 14 years ago
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22 people need to get a life!  3

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Tony Farrelly | 14 years ago
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Funnily enough that's the question we asked. I suppose it must be people who are very passionate about health and safety… or Coca Cola's PR department.

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Jon Burrage | 14 years ago
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Who complains about this stuff....do you think they sit there watching tv with a notebook just in case?

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