Take That star Howard Donald has issued a statement after it was revealed that he had 'favourited' and 'liked' homophobic and derogatory social media posts towards the LGBTQ+ community, causing him to subsequently be axed from performing a headline spot at Pride festival Groovebox in Nottingham on July 29.
The Greatest Day singer, 55, was found to have 'liked' and 'favourited' tweets disparaging trans and gay communities, alongside a tweet by disgraced social media personality Andrew Tate, who has been charged with sexual assault, trafficking and organised crime.
After screenshots of these tweets - which Howard has since unliked alongside deleting his Twitter account, reports the Daily Star - were shared with the Nottingham event's organisers, the singer was bumped from the line up. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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Taking to his Instagram in the afternoon on Saturday, June 17, Howard posted a statement that 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."
Announcing the news on its social media profile on Instagram, Groovebox events shared a statement of their own, explaining that the father of four would no longer be performing and that are working hard to get a replacement for the singer.
It 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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