Tan France defends 'insensitive' M&S Christmas ad as it's pulled over backlash

02 November 2023 , 08:41

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Tan France defends 'insensitive' M&S Christmas ad as it's pulled over backlash

Tan France has hit back at criticism aimed at the M&S Christmas advert he is starring in after the supermarket posted an outtake photo of Christmas hats being burned in a fireplace - with furious fans suggesting that they were the colours of the Palestinian flag.

The 40-year-old Queer Eye star blasted the remarks as "ridiculous" and accused them of "reaching" as the advert was shot in August - months before the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war. In the photo, posted to the British supermarket's Instagram page, green, red and silver party hats sat burning and crumpled on a cast iron fireplace. The festive colours are also the same as those on the Bulgarian and Italian flags.

Yet some fans were left seething with rage over the imagery and branded M&S "disgusting" as they accused them of "promoting the burning of the Palestinian flag". The supermarket has since deleted the picture and issued an apology foir any "unintentional hurt".

Marks and Spencer's outtake has sparked outrage online (Instagram/marksandspencer)

Tan France has defended the ad (Instagram)

Marks and Spencer had captioned the photo: "This Christmas, do only what you love... like saying no to paper hats (although, if we're honest, we're partial)." A spokesperson for M&S issued a statement on Wednesday evening following the deletion of the photo, writing: "Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas Clothing and Home advert, which was recorded in August. It showed traditional, festive coloured red, green and silver Christmas paper party hats in a fire grate. While the intent was to playfully show that some people just don't enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats over the festive season, we have removed the post following feedback and we apologise for any unintentional hurt caused"

M&S has since issued an apology (Instagram/marksandspencer)

Following the apology, Tan had commented on Instagram: "The ad was shot in AUGUST, so..... maybe you're reaching with your ridiculous comments?" Similarly, others defended the store, with one writing: "Omg why is everyone beefing M&S. Like a company is purposely going to pretend to burn a Palestinian flag for their Christmas campaign, can we not.". While another wrote: "Is this for real? Beyond a joke - these are festive colours…" A third wrote: "Even by the unhinged standards of 2023 social media, if you think M&S are burning a Palestinian flag in a Christmas advert you’re utterly f***ing mental and should go for a lie down."

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