BBC bosses 'furious' with Clare Balding over her Traitors wardrobe

Her 'Highland chic' wardrobe on The Celebrity Traitors has rivalled even that of host Claudia Winkleman's.

Yet broadcaster Clare Balding has found herself in hot water over her outfits on the wildly popular show - after apparently breaching the BBC's strict clothes branding guidelines.

Corporation bosses are said to be ‘furious’ with the star who wore upmarket British designer Holland Cooper during filming at Ardross Castle, before she later signed up to be the brand’s ambassador in a lucrative deal.

The corporation’s strict conflict of interest guidelines state: ‘Those, in any genre, engaged for the BBC, must not accept clothing, accessories or other products free, or at considerably reduced cost, on the understanding that they will wear, reference or use them on air.

‘Nor should they appear on air wearing clothes or using products, goods or services which they have agreed, or been contracted, to promote or in which they have any financial interest.’

Ms Balding, 54, wore a £500 orange double-breasted blazer by Holland Cooper in the publicity shots for the popular series and in the opening episode, which was filmed in May.

She was subsequently unveiled as the brand’s ambassador saying the designer gave her 'the confidence I need in front of the camera', just weeks before The Celebrity Traitors began broadcasting on October 8.

The series has become the most-watched BBC programme of the year, with the first episode alone garnering over 12 million viewers.

Those close to the star claim she never sought to breach the BBC’s rules, and the timing of the clothing partnership was merely coincidental.

A BBC insider said: ‘The Celebrity Traitors has been a rare unmitigated success for the BBC and they don’t want anything to detract from that.

‘Bosses are understandably furious over this. They expected better from someone of Clare’s experience.’

The Daily Mail understands that the BBC has spoken to Ms Balding to remind her of the rules around clothing.

Announcing her partnership with Holland Cooper in September, Ms Balding said: 'I am absolutely thrilled to be part of Holland Cooper’s Icon Series.'

'Their pieces have become such a staple for me in broadcasting — they combine elegance and timeless style with real practicality, giving me the confidence I need in front of the camera.

'I also love that their tailoring is made here in the UK, with such attention to detail and quality.'

Ms Balding lasted until episode four of The Celebrity Traitors but was banished from the castle after her fellow players voted her off after wrongly suspecting she was a Traitor.

Former diver Tom Daley, who also appeared on The Celebrity Traitors, is a keen amateur knitter and has his own clothing company Made With Love. He told the Radio Times last week that the BBC wouldn’t allow him to wear his own brand of knitwear while on the show.

The BBC and Ms Balding refused to comment.

But a source close to the star said: ‘Clare has worn this brand for a long time and just happens to love the clothes.’

‘She’s worn them for years and certainly wasn’t working with them at the time of filming The Celebrity Traitors. Subsequently working with them is entirely coincidental.’

‘She is a seasoned broadcaster with an excellent relationship with the BBC, she’s entirely respectful of all guidelines and would never seek to breach them.’