Take That’s Howard Donald dropped from Pride event over anti-LGBTQ+ Twitter activity
Take That‘s Howard Donald has been dropped from a Pride event after Twitter users noticed he had liked a series of anti-LGBTQ+ tweets.The tweets that Donald had liked reportedly featured content from Andrew Tate, posts criticising a trans-inclusive period campaign, videos of anti-trans pundit Posie Parker (whose real name is Kellie-Jay Keen), and a tweet from Turning Point UK founder Charlie Kirk that called for Disney to be “defunded” for announcing a Pride event.Following widespread backlash, Donald then deleted his Twitter account.The Take That vocalist had been lined up to headline the Groovebox Nottingham Pride Festival, which is set to take place in Blinks Yard on July 29.Now, Groovebox has confirmed in a statement posted to Facebook that he will no longer be appearing.“In light of recent events, Howard Donald will no longer be playing at our Nottingham Pride Festival on Saturday 29th July at Binks Yard,” they wrote.“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.”Deeply disappointing to see Take That’s Howard Donald liking transphobic and homophobic tweets – while playing Pride festivals.
