Take That's Howard axed from Pride as he likes transphobic and homophobic tweets
Howard Donald has been axed from an upcoming Pride festival after the Take That star was seen liking a number of transphobic and homophobic tweets.
Donald had been due to headline festival Groovebox in Nottingham next weekend.
However, event organisers made the decision to remove him from the line-up after outraged fans began sharing screenshots of tweets he had favourited.
As well as tweets criticising the trans and gay communities, fans were stunned to see the pop star also like tweets by controversial social media personality Andrew Tate, who has been charged with rape, people trafficking and organised crime.
Angry fans called on the Pride event organisers to remove Donald from the billing as they branded him a 'hateful hypocrite.' While Donald, 55, responded to the backlash by deleting his Twitter page.
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After mounting pressure, Groovebox confirmed on Saturday that Donald has been cut from the line-up.
They said in a statement: "In light of recent events, Howard Donald will no longer be playing at our Nottingham Pride Festival on Saturday 29th July at Binks Yard.
"We would like to offer our thanks to the public for alerting us to the situation this morning and also appreciate your patience whilst we spoke to the relevant parties," before adding they were working on adding to their line-up.
Following his axe, Donald also issued a statement saying he was 'deeply sorry' and 'really disappointed' in himself.
He posted to Instagram: "I have made a huge error in my judgement liking social media posts that are derogatory towards the LGBTQIA+ community and for that I a deeply sorry and I know I have let everyone down.
"I am really disappointed in myself and I am sorry for any hurt that I have caused by my uneducated actions I clearly have a lot to learn and it's a priority for me that I do this."
Before his social media takedown, Howard's 'liked' posts included a shot of a poster advertising a Pride concert hosted by Disney with the caption 'Defund Disney.'
Howard Donald, alongside Take That bandmates Gary Barlow and Mark Owen (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)Another post he liked read: "Washington in the USA just passed a law that the state can TAKE your children from you if you don't allow them to transition. They are coming for your kids now."
The boyband star also liked an image from an inclusive menstruation campaign with the caption: "Only women have periods! Men cannot menstruate. Transgender ‘women’ cannot menstruate.”
Howard also liked a parenting advice post from self-described misogynist Andrew Tate that read: "The only superhero a boy should have is his father. If your son idolizes fiction it's because you're so unspectacular you can't even impress a child."
Donald has since unliked the posts and deleted his Twitter page. The Mirror has contacted the star for comment.
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The Take That singer was due to headline Pride festival Groovebox in Nottingham on 24th and 25th June.
Howard Donald apologised for his actions
Take That have capitalised on their gay fan base since their early 90s beginnings (Dave Benett/Getty Images)After Donald's 'liked' posts went viral after being screen-grabbed and shared by concerned fans, there were mounting calls from him to be dropped from the event.
Britain's first transgender newsreader India Willoughby was among those voicing their outrage.
"Deeply disappointing to see Take That’s Howard Donald liking transphobic and homophobic tweets - while playing Pride festivals. The LGBT community made that band. And no, being homophobic or transphobic is not just “a different opinion," India fumed.
"It’s insane how he hates us yet he’ll still happily try take our money. He’s a hateful hypocrite," responded one Twitter user.
"That is so disappointing! I love Take That. Gutted," replied another.
After the initial complaints, event organiser Groovebox issued a statement saying they were “dealing with” the situation as a “matter of urgency”.
“Early this morning we have received a number of messages from the public about a situation that’s evolving, in relation to an artist on our Nottingham Pride line-up,” Groovebox’s statement read.
“We are dealing with this situation as a matter of urgency and have made contact with all the relevant parties, please bear with us and thanks for alerting us to the situation.
“The Groovebox team stands in solidarity with the wider LGBTQ+ community, we believe every person has the right to be their authentic true self without fear of persecution and hatred.
“We wish to reiterate that any form of prejudice and discrimination is not condoned by us and goes against the core fundamentals of our Nottingham Pride event. A full statement will be made ASAP.”
Nottingham's official Pride organisers have also spoken out.
Thy posted: "It has been brought to our attention that there has been some anti LGBTQ+ endorsement from a performer at the Groovebox Pride Festival which has not been organised by Notts Pride. We are really concerned about this and we reject Homophobia,Transphobia and Biphobia in our City.
"We are Nottspride and we fight for our fabulous LGBTQ+ community every day. We want to make this very clear Groovebox Pride Festival has no association with NottsPride.
"We call on our fabulous LGBTQ+ community and allies to join us in our March for equality on 29/07/23. There is no place for hate in Nottingham."
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