Take That star Howard Donald has been dropped as one of the headline acts at Groovebox’s Pride Festival after it came to light he’d liked a number of tweets that were critical of trans people.
Donald had been due to perform at the Nottingham event on Saturday 29 July, which also features acts including Horse Meat Disco, Essel, Sam Sax and a drag cabaret from stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK – but he will now be replaced by another act.
Social media users had earlier questioned Donald’s inclusion in the Pride line-up, highlighting some of his previous Twitter likes, including one calling for Disney to be “defunded” after holding a Pride event, and another criticising an inclusive menstruation campaign with the message: “Only women have periods! Men cannot menstruate. Transgender ‘women’ cannot menstruate.”
Other likes from Donald’s account included a tweet from controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate, claiming “the only superhero a boy should have is his father” and another listing “realities” including “there are only two genders,” “Covid was a scam,” and “obesity isn’t beautiful or healthy”.
His other likes included conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11, criticism of Bill Gates and his charitable work and false theories around Covid vaccinations.
Take That performing at Windsor Castle for the Coronation Concert in May
Take That in 1993. (L – R) Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams and Jason Orange
Confirming his removal from the event, Groovebox’s Pride Festival posted a statement on their official Instagram page, saying: “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.”
Donald has since deleted his Twitter account, and posted an apology on his Instagram story.
He wrote: “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.”
Howard Donald’s apology on Instagram. Pic: @Howarddonald
Earlier on Saturday, the official Nottinghamshire Pride organisers had tweeted to clarify that they were not part of the Groovebox event, which is not affiliated with the city’s main Notts Pride.
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They tweeted: “It has been brought to our attention that there has been some anti LGBTQ+ endorsement from a performer at the Groovebox Pride Festival which has not been organised by Notts Pride.
“We are really concerned about this and we reject Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in our City.”
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Donald, 55, rose to fame in the early nineties as one-fifth of boyband Take That, alongside Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Jason Orange, and Mark Owen.
While Williams and Orange have since left the group, Donald is one of the remaining three members, with the band headlining the King’s coronation concert in May.
Sky News has contacted Howard Donald and Groovebox for further comment.
