17 June 2023 , 15:00
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Take That star Howard Donald has issued a grovelling apology after it emerged he had liked several transphobic and homophobic tweets.
It came to light just weeks before Howard was due to take to the stage at Nottingham's Groovebox pride festival weekend.
However, the organisers of the event have since announced that the musician, 55, has been axed from the line-up in the wake of the revelations.
On his now-deleted Twitter page, Howard appeared to have liked posts criticising the gay and transgender community as well as a tweet by Andrew Tate.
Tate has recently been charged with rape, people trafficking and organised crime.
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Howard Donald has issued a grovelling apology
The star said he was "disappointed" in himself (Dave Benett/Getty Images)Howard has since issued an apology in view of his 132,000 followers on Instagram, which read: "I have made a huge error in my judgement liking social media posts that are derogatory towards the LGBTQIA+ community and for that, I am 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 he deactivated his Twitter account, Howard's 'liked' posts included a shot of a poster advertising a Pride concert by Disney with the caption 'Defund Disney.'
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."
Howard has since been dropped from the Groovebox line-up (WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)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."
He had 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."
Groovebox has since announced that Howard has been dropped from the lineup in a statement which read: "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.
"We are working on confirming a replacement headliner alongside Horse Meat Disco, Tayce, Danny Beard & ESSEL for Nottingham Pride and will make an announcement in due course."
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