Boohoo has been ordered by the advertising watchdog to take down images branded as “sexually suggestive”.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a complaint that the images shown on the advert put out by the Manchester-based fast fashion brand of a model in an oversized T-shirt and thong-style bikini bottoms were objectifying women, and so ruled them as “offensive, harmful, and irresponsible”.
The advert included a rear view that showed the model kneeling, as well as an upper-body shot that showed the model lifting the T-shirt and exposing skin on her stomach and side.
It was decided by the ASA that the advert must not appear again in its current form.
The advertising watchdog said that while the advert was presented as part of the swimwear category, the actual advertised product was the T-shirt and the listing on the website appeared as a result of searches for T-shirts or tops.
The ASA said that in each case the staging of the shots was “sexually suggestive”, with the model shown with the T-shirt folded in ways to expose her body, instead of focusing on the product.
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“We concluded that the ad objectified and sexualised women. It was therefore irresponsible and likely to cause serious offence,” the ASA said in its ruling.
The ASA ruled the advert as “offensive, harmful, and irresponsible” / Credit: ASA
Speaking on the ASA’s ruling, a spokesperson for Boohoo Group said: “We are disappointed by the findings of this ruling because we pride ourselves in our inclusive, body positive imagery [and] our marketing reflects the vibrant and confident culture of our brand, and is not designed to intentionally cause offence.
“We removed the associated images from our website when we received details of the complaint from the ASA.”
This is not the first time Boohoo has had an advert banned by the ASA either, as back in 2019, an email promotion by the brand used the phrase “send nudes” was sent out in a message to customers marketing a range of clothes coloured to resemble skin, and pictured a female model wearing a white dress and beige jacket with the words “Send nudes. Set the tone with new season hues” written across the image.
The ASA said the phrase “send nudes” was likely to be understood as referring to requests for sexual photos, and ruled it irresponsible to make light of a “potentially harmful social trend”.
Featured Image – Boohoo / ASA
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BBC releases first look of new drama series based on inspirational journey of England men’s football team
Emily Sergeant
First look images of a new BBC drama series based on award-winning play Dear England have been released.
The four-part series based on James Graham’s Olivier-award winning play of the same name tells the story of Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team journey to renewed success, and it’s set to air on BBC One and iPlayer next year.
Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.
The stage play premiered at the National Theatre to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier award for ‘Best New Play’, and enjoying a sell-out run in 2023 before it returned to the National Theatre earlier this year and then embarked on a national tour.
The first look images of new BBC series Dear England have been released / Credit: BBC
With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land.
The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
Joseph Fiennes will reprise his Olivier award-nominated role as Gareth Southgate in the new series.
Joseph Fiennes will star as former manager Gareth Southgate / Credit: BBC
The first look pictures see Fiennes in his role for the first time in scenes depicting England’s triumphant Euro 2024 Semi-Final celebrations, where the men’s team reached their first final of a major tournament on foreign soil.
Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, and Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland the former assistant manager, whilst Will Antenbring stars as Harry Kane, joined by an ensemble cast of upcoming actors as the rest of the team.
Among the squad cast is Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow, and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd, who are all reprising their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford, and Dele Alli.
Dear England will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the new year, with exact air dates set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – BBC
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World’s rarest lions arrive at Chester Zoo as part of global breeding programme
Emily Sergeant
Two of the world’s rarest lions have arrived at Chester Zoo as part of efforts to protect the highly endangered animals from extinction.
The pair, a male named Nilay, who has travelled from Köln Zoo in Germany, and a female named Shanti, who has arrived from London Zoo, are Asiatic lions who have been carefully matched with each other following what has been described as a ‘detailed genetic analysis’ as part of an international conservation breeding programme.
Conservationists say the pair have ‘formed an instant connection’, and are hopeful that they’ll go on to have cubs in the future.
Chester Zoo has been identified as a ‘key player’ in helping to safeguard the long-term survival of Asiatic lions – a breed of which there are thought to be fewer than 900 of in the wild.
The world’s rarest lions have arrived at Chester Zoo as part of a global breeding programme / Credit: Chester Zoo
Carnivore experts at the zoo have released the first images of the iconic cats exploring their expansive new home, which has been specially designed to recreate the dry forests and scrublands of India’s Gir Forest – the only place on Earth where Asiatic lions still exist in the wild.
Asiatic lions are classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which only reinforces the need for urgent conservation intervention.
Experts warn that, without effective conservation, the big cats could follow in the footsteps of the Barbary and Persian lions – that once roamed North Africa and the Middle East – and vanish from the wild all together.
“The arrival of Nilay and Shanti marks an exciting new chapter in our conservation efforts to protect one of the world’s most extraordinary and endangered animals,” explained Dave Hall, who is the Team Manager of Carnivores at Chester Zoo.
“Now that they’ve had time to settle in, we’ve successfully introduced the pair to one another in a special behind-the-scenes area, and the early signs are incredibly positive.
“We’re hopeful that as their bond grows stronger, we may one day have a pride again here at Chester, which would be another truly special milestone for the safety-net population of Asiatic lions.”
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2022 
