*Susan Hudd - hears voices in her head

Susan (or Sue) Hudd is one of those people who is on TV a lot because she can hear voices in her head.

UPDATE, 19 Mar: ASA reply "As regulator [sic], we can intervene if, amongst other things, an ad risks provoking serious or widespread offence, poses a realistic risk of causing significant harm or of materially misleading consumers about goods or services. We have considered the ad and your complaint and, from what we've seen, we don't think it's likely that there has been a breach of the Advertising Code in this case.

We have reviewed the ad with your concerns in mind but in this case we don't feel that the ad is likely to risk materially misleading consumers to their detriment. The text in the ad does no more than state the nature of the advertiser's business.

While I understand your comments, there are no specific claims (about the accuracy of readings, for example) made in the ad. We consider that consumers generally will understand the meaning of "Psychic Clairvoyant Medium & Signature Reader" and that it is an individual's belief in their spiritual ability. On that basis, we concluded that we do not have grounds for intervention in this case."


There is no mention of "for entertainment purposes" in her advert. I thought I would ask the ASA why.

"I write to complain about an advert published in the February 2010 issue of "High Spirit Magazine".

The advert, for Susan Hudd, is entitled "Susan Hudd - Sky TV's Psychic Clairvoyant Medium & Signature Reader".

I have submitted a scan of the advert. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

I suspect that the advert is in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

1. "High Spirit" magazine is a monthly publication available in high street stores like WHSmiths.

2. The February 2010 issue (page 78) carried an advert entitled "Susan Hudd - Sky TV's Psychic Clairvoyant Medium & Signature Reader". The advert promoted a telephone psychic reading service with the advertiser.

3. The CAP Code, Section 3.1, states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

4. Given that the advert makes no mention of "magic", "illusions" or "for entertainment", I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence for the claim that Susan Hudd is a psychic, a clairvoyant, a medium, and a signature reader.

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, the magazine, or with the publishing industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

6. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant."