The BBC has made a humiliating U-turn after breaking its own editorial guidelines in the marketing of a satnav system voiced by Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson.
Bosses at BBC Worldwide, the Corporation's commercial arm, were so keen to rush out the gadget in time for Christmas that they forgot to check their own rules, which dictate that the programme must not promote or endorse any motoring products.
Halfords had signed a deal with the BBC and satnav specialist TomTom to stock the product, which costs 180 pounds.
Some 54,000 are already on shelves, but once the existing devices have sold out, no more will be produced.
BBC Worldwide says it will now donate the proceeds to Children In Need.
