You better start perfecting your wave Tulisa: X Factor judge's arm gesture investigated due to complaints of illegal promotion

By Kirsty Mccormack


Weekly gesture: X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos has become known for showing off her tattoo at the beginning of each live show but she may be banned from doing it in future


It's become her trademark gesture on the X Factor, but Tulisa Contostavlos may no longer be allowed to show off her tattoo on the show.

The 23-year-old is well-known for lifting up her right arm on each live show as she walks onto the stage with her fellow judges.

But the weekly display of her body ink may now be banned as media regulator Ofcom are investigating complaints that suggest the singer is advertising her own brand of perfume.


The tattoo, which reads The Female Boss, is also the name of Tulisa's latest endorsement which she launched last month.

Viewers have accused the N-Dubz star of illegally promoting the product by revealing her tattoo each week, but it seems they may have already given Tulisa a stern warning.

The Playing With Fire singer did her usual wink and arm lift on Saturday night's show as she was introduced by host, Dermot O'Leary, but on Sunday evening she'd had a change of mind.

Just a wave: Following several complaints, Ofcom have begun an investigation into the star's gesture and how it may be illegally promoting her perfume


Wearing a long-sleeve green lace dress, Tulisa simply lifted up her left arm to wave at the audience and looked rather gutted to not be doing her usual greeting.

The various complaints received state that the star's overt display of her tattoo breaks strict rules on the promotion and reference of commercial products by talent.

But it wasn't just her appearance on the X Factor that has apparently broken the rules, but also an interview with her on The Xtra Factor too.

The Female Boss: Tulisa's perfume which she launched last month goes by the same name as what is tattooed on her right arm


The clip on the ITV2 companion show, made direct references to The Female Boss perfume and discussed the connection to her signature move, and also showed a clip.

Tulisa is thought to have got the body art earlier this year and named her perfume after it.

Illegal promotion: The N-Dubz star launched her latest endorsement last month but has been criticised for trying to promote it on the X Factor and The Xtra Factor


She promoted the scent at a launch party at the end of October at the Oxford Street branch of The Perfume Shop, but surprisingly she didn't show off her tattoo there.

Although the cringe-worthy gesture has annoyed viewers, fans of the show will no doubt be looking out for it this weekend to see whether or not it has been banned.



source:dailymail