The BBC has laid out new rules for social media use by presenters of flagship programmes months after its row with presenter Gary Lineker.
Those presenting the corporation's main shows will have "a particular responsibility to respect the BBC's impartiality, because of their profile on the BBC". Stars fronting other programmes such as The Apprentice, Strictly Come Dancing, Masterchef and Top Gear must also abide by the regulations.
The BBC named Dragonsâ Denâs Evan Davis, The One Showâs Alex Jones, MasterChef hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace, and Match Of The Dayâs Mark Chapman and Lineker among those who fall under the rules.
Similarly, Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, The Apprenticeâs Lord Alan Sugar and Antiques Roadshowâs Fiona Bruce will also have to adhere to the new rules.
Presenters on the selected shows must not endorse or attack any political party, âcriticise the characterâ of any politicians or comment on issues that are âa matter of political debateâ during an election. They are otherwise free to be more open about their views in public - but that is subject to expectations around âcivilised public debateâ.
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It comes after a review into BBC social media guidelines. Published by former ITN boss John Hardie, he said: "The previous guidance said to not take sides on issues which are party political or political controversies. And this new approach says, you can do that, so long as you stay to the facts of the issue itself. So that is actually a significant change.
"In the future, it's easier for the BBC to be able to say if they're challenged by somebody who has made a social media post, to say [either], that clearly is dealing with the issue and the facts, or it's clear that they're making an attack on an individual. And I think that separation will make this more practical for the BBC in the future."
The BBC's new rules could cause issues for Lord Sugar.
The Apprentice star - a serving member of the House of Lords - often shares forthright views on politics on social media.
The popular programme has been running since 2005.
The BBC have also published a list of dos and don’ts for all its staff when using social media.
*Do treat others with respect, even in the face of abuse.
*Don’t use offensive or aggressive language and DO conduct yourself with courtesy.
*Do take particular care when commenting on the issues that provoke the greatest debate.
*Don’t attack individuals, even when you disagree with their views.
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*Do be careful with rebuttals – they can feed conflict.
*Don’t criticise your colleagues in public. Respect the privacy of the workplace and the confidentiality of internal announcements.
*Don’t be drawn into ill-tempered exchanges, or exchanges that will reflect badly on you, or the BBC
*Don’t promote law breaking.
The programmes picked includes Match of the Day, hosted by football legend Lineker, and The Apprentice - which stars controversial Sir Alan Sugar.
The other TV shows classed as 'flagship' include Antiques Roadshow, Dragons' Den, The One Show, Masterchef, Top Gear and Strictly Come Dancing.
Those on major sporting events and top radio shows such as Radio 1's Breakfast show - hosting by Greg James, and Radio 2's Breakfast show with Zoe Ball with Vernon Kay and Scott Mills also under scrutiny.
Gary Lineker offered a three-word reaction to this afternoon's big news.
He tweeted a simply response, writing "All very sensible" with a thumbs-up emoji on the social media platform.
Gary, whose tweets sparked huge debate back in March, can now discuss politics more openly outside of the Premier League season.
Presenters on the selected shows cannot endorse or attack any political party at any point.
They cannot “criticise the character” of any politicians in the UK, or comment on issues that are “a matter of political debate” during an election.
They also must not take up an official role in a campaign group or get involved in fundraising or campaigning.
They are otherwise free to be more open about their views in public - but that is subject to expectations around “civilised public debate”.
The review of BBC social media guidelines came into force in the wake of the furore over Gary Lineker's tweets back in March.
A row erupted in March after the Match of the Day host slammed the goverment on social media - and it led to him being being suspended.
The former Tottenham star wrote that the government's language about a new asylum policy was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
