Howard Donald: Take That star caught liking transphobic and homophobic tweets

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Take That star Howard Donald has apologized after being caught liking a series of controversial tweets.

On Saturday (June 17), it was highlighted that the singer had previously liked offensive posts, some of which were homophobic and transphobic. The singer was then banned from a Pride concert he was due to perform in Nottingham next month.

Donald has since released a statement on Instagram calling his actions a huge error.

The full statement read: I made a huge error in my judgment in liking posts on social media that hurt the LGBTQIA+ community and for that I am deeply sorry and know that I have let everyone down.

I am truly disappointed in myself and I am sorry for any hurt I may have caused with my uneducated actions.

Donald, who has since unliked the posts and deleted his Twitter account, apparently liked an image advertising a Disney concert held for Pride that was posted with the caption: Defund Disney.

The singer also seemed to like a transphobic post that read: Only women get periods! Men cannot menstruate. Transgender women cannot have periods.

Her actions were highlighted by transgender TV star India Willoughby, who shared a screenshot of the posts she liked on Twitter.

He wrote: Very disappointing to see Take Thats Howard Donald like transphobic and homophobic tweets while playing Pride festivals. The LGBT community made that band. And no, being homophobic or transphobic is not just another opinion.

Other tweets that featured Donalds like history included one from a Twitter account named @EndWokeness, which shared a video of Insecure actor Issa Rae saying she was rooting for all Blacks at an awards ceremony.

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The caption that Donald liked read: If a white celebrity said this, he’d be out of a job within hours.

(Getty Images)

Donald also liked posts from controversial figures including Andrew Tate and Lawrence Fox, as well as tweets spreading Covid and anti-vax conspiracy theories.

The Independent has contacted Donald for further comment.

Nottingham Pride festival released their own statement after many urged organizers to take action.

After investigating the matter, festival bosses wrote: In light of recent events, Howard Donald will no longer be playing at our Nottingham Pride Festival on Saturday 29th July at Binks Yard.

Donald joined the British band Take That in 1988. He performed with bandmates Gary Barlow and Mark Owen at the London premiere of the new film Greatest Days, which is in cinemas now.

The jukebox musical film, which The Independent called beautifully generic, follows fans of a fictional boyband who reunite after 25 years. it is based on a stage musical of the same name.

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