Gladiators star risks wrath of show bosses after he ‘promotes product accused of deceptively marketing to children’

A BBC Gladiators prima could onshore himself successful blistery h2o for his promotion of a US supplement brand, which has been criticised for its 'deceptive marketing' practices.

TV's Gladiators prima Matty Campbell, who is amended known arsenic his TV change agone Bionic, has antecedently promoted US steadfast Ghost with pictures of him posing with supplements and products connected his societal media.

However it could beryllium a tricky collaboration for the star, arsenic the marque is known for its scope of macromolecule powders and show focused supplements - each of which could beryllium deemed harmful to children.

With Gladiators specified a household favourite show, Campbell has a younger fanbase who could beryllium influenced by his promotion of the brand.

According to The Mirror, the jock has offered his 25,000 followers the accidental to triumph immoderate Ghost products for free.

However it's not wide if Campbell is successful declaration with the brand, with his promotion of Ghost via his idiosyncratic Instagram alternatively than a dedicated relationship for his on-screen persona for the BBC show.

The concern is with the radical down the Gladiators, the athletes, alternatively than the Gladiators themselves. He has ne'er posted oregon promoted Ghost arsenic a Gladiator. It is thing to bash with their BBC on-air persona.

Ghost has antecedently been reported to regulators successful December 2022 with Watchdog Truth In Advertising (TINA) accusing it of violating Federal Trade Commission and U.S Food and Drug Administration law.

The oragnisation slammed Ghost arsenic it claimed the institution "packages its energy drinks and supplements successful a mode that appeals to children."

They besides claimed it "targets kids with deceptive and unfair selling by, among different things, utilizing influencers fashionable among children" which could see fashionable figures similar Campbell.

In their ailment to regulators, the Watchdog besides added: "Consumers who spot Ghost’s selling connected societal media, gaming platforms oregon connected the company’s website are not informed, however, that these products are lone intended for steadfast adults."

The organisation besides highlighted Ghost's usage of licensed candy flavours, specified arsenic Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish arsenic problematic.

Laura Smith, Legal Director astatine TINA.org, has besides spoken retired with interest for Ghost's selling practices and for the usage of figures similar Campbell.

She said: "Within a mates weeks of TINA.org’s ailment to the FTC, Ghost removed definite unsubstantiated and unapproved health claims from its website, including claims that its products tin trim anxiousness and equilibrium hormones, arsenic good arsenic some, but surely not all, cognitive enhancement claims.

"While utilizing candy flavoring for adult-only products is not illegal, TINA.org’s investigation revealed that Ghost branded its products to mimic fashionable candy wrappers and targeting minors without decently disclosing that the products are lone intended for steadfast adults.

"Ghost’s epic nonaccomplishment to forestall unwarranted health and safety risks to children renders the company’s selling unfair, deceptive, and successful usurpation of the FTC Act."

Directly referencing Campbell's societal media promotion she added: "If Matty Campbell has a younker fanbase and is selling products that are unsafe for children, past the selling should intelligibly and conspicuously disclose this information information."

There is interest astir the usage of supplements for children and teenagers, with galore paediatricians and athletics dieticians antecedently speaking retired publically astir however they would not urge them for usage by kids.

The Sun has contacted Matty and the BBC for remark connected this story.