Paul Merson 'broke BBC Strictly rules' during Saturday's show as he's warned by bosses

Ex-Arsenal footballer Paul Merson has twice been talked to by Strictly Come Dancing bosses for continuing to promote his cannabis-adjacent products on social media

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have given Paul Merson a red card for plugging cannabidiol on social media, in breach of BBC rules.

The former Arsenal footballer was first given a yellow card last week, when he repeatedly mentioned the Supreme CBD firm he works for as a brand ambassador for on social media. But he got a firmer talking to and told to remove several posts, after he continued plugging the brand around the first live show.

It came after Merson told fans he took the stuff before stepping on to the dancefloor on Saturday, claiming the product “calmed the nerves” before he performed an American Smooth routine to Fat Les football hit Vindaloo with partner Karen Hauer.

A source said: “Paul’s ambassadorship for Supreme is an existing commitment, and the product is something he genuinely uses.

“He believes CBD has been great for him. But some of his posts were a clear breach of BBC rules as they associated the brand with Strictly. He had been warned last week, so was given a stricter reminder of the rules and had to delete his posts.”

A spokeswoman for Strictly added: “Paul has been spoken to and reminded of the rules regarding social media posting while on the show.”

Merson, reality star Pete Wicks and singer Toyah Wilcox were the three contestants who scored the lowest points from judges on Saturday, and are favourites to become the first stars eliminated this weekend.