A Northern-based paint company has been hit with more than 100 complaints over its new TV advert, which has been branded “offensive”.
Crown Paints – which is based in Darwen in Lancashire – released the advert in question earlier this month, and through a cast of actors, singers, and spoken word performers, it tells the story of a young couple named Hannah and Dave.
The couple were said to have met at an illegal rave, and are now expecting their first child together.
Lyrics from the advert’s jingle include: “Now a baby’s coming and they don’t know what it is. Hannah’s hoping for a girl, Dave’s just hoping that it’s his.
“They’re happy that their spare room’s no longer grey because there’s a baby on the way.”
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https://youtu.be/PEuyG1D4c4Q
Since its release and airing on TV screens across the UK, an Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) spokesman said it had received 150 complaints about the advert – which it is “currently assessing to determine if there is a potential problem under our rules and, if so, whether there are grounds for further action”.
The ASA says the majority of complaints are mainly focused on whether the content in the advert is appropriate to be shown on television, as well as many taking to social media and calling it out for being “totally derogatory” towards women.
Comedian Jennie Eclair was one of the more prominent figures to complain to Crown Paints on social media earlier this week, tweeting: “Hey Crown Paints, get that offensive baby ad off air – what were you thinking!!!? What on earth possessed you?”
Hey @crownpaints get that offensive baby ad off air – what were you thinking !!!? What on earth possessed you?
Author and podcast host, Daisy Buchanan, was one of the many people to welcome Eclair’s tweet and say in response: “I honestly thought it was me being mad”.
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One viewer took to Twitter and said: “Totally derogatory of women, questioning her fidelity. Take it off because it won’t sell much paint.”
Others said it was “offensive”, “misogynistic”, and a “serious error of judgement”.
Crown Paints then responded to Eclair’s tweet saying: “Our ads are intended to give a humorous account of our characters’ stories. We appreciate that people have differing tastes when it comes to humour and whilst the ad has been broadly well received, we apologise if the remark has caused offence to anyone.”
But Eclair still said she felt that the advert “set up a scenario that implies a woman has possibly conned a man into fatherhood”.
It’s terrible also who was having illegal races four years ago? I thought they belonged to the 90’s – basically you’ve set up a scenario that implies a woman has possibly conned a man into fatherhood – check out the responses on my time line – it’s about 98% anti
Following both the growing online backlash, and the 150 official complaints about the advert, Crown Paints has issued a formal statement addressing the claims.
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A spokesperson said: “This ad is one in a series that is intended to celebrate special moments in life in a humorous way.
“The characters of Hannah and Dave are shown to be in a happy relationship and preparing for their new arrival. There are no negative connotations intended from any of the lyrics and whilst the ad has been broadly well received, we recognise that people have differing tastes in humour.
“We apologise if any of the lines have caused offence.”
Featured Image – Crown Paints
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Donny Osmond books biggest-ever Manchester gig
Danny Jones
Iconic American singer and actor Donny Osmond has announced his biggest-ever Manchester concert as part of his upcoming ‘VIVA UK’ tour dates.
Bringing his famous Las Vegas residency show to Great Britain, where he has always had a fervent following, the younger Osmond brother will be making a venue debut over six decades into his career.
Famously part of the musical family who not only sang together but also saw multiple TV shows created in their name – including his very own spin-off, Donny and Marie – he’s been around longer than most in showbiz, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Confirming a whole new run of live dates across the country, Donny Osmond will be returning to Manchester early next year.
Writing on social media, the veteran entertainer said: “I’m so pleased to finally share the official 2027 UK tour dates with you.
“It always means so much to return to the UK – the audiences there have given me some of the most unforgettable moments of my career.”
As for here in our city, he last played Manchester back just a few short years ago at the AO Arena, selling out the 20,000-seater space on 29 November 2023.
Now, though, he’s upgrading to approximately 23k this time, with die-hard fans being encouraged to download his very own ‘Donny App’ to secure the earliest possible access.
Set to play Co-op Live for the very first time, we’d expect this one to sell equally well; you can see the rest of the shows listed so far down below.
Donny Osmond VIVA UK live tour dates 2027
We’ve highlighted all the Northern dates for you:
Wed, 20 Jan – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Thurs, 21 Jan – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
Sat, 23 Jan – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
Sun, 24 Jan 24 – Manchester, Co-op Live
Tue, 26 Jan 26 – Hull, Connexin Live
Wed, 27 Jan 27 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
Fri, 29 Jan 29 – Leeds, first direct arena
Sat, 30 Jan 30 – Birmingham, BP Pulse Live
Mon, 1 Feb – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
Wed, 3 Feb – Bournemouth BIC
Friday and Saturday, 5-6 February – London, Eventim Apollo
JUST ANNOUNCED: Donny Osmond Sunday 24 January 2027
Bringing the glamour, high-energy & excitement of his Las Vegas show. https://t.co/Y2sSdg01FV @coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 10:00 Wednesday 20 May General Sale: 10:00 Friday 22 May pic.twitter.com/i4v2ff7suA
Early access tickets for Donny Osmond’s VIVA UK tour will be available both via the app and the venue’s official Co-op membership, with the presale window opening at 10am on Wednesday, 20 May.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets will go live at the same time the following Friday (22 May), with VIP and hospitaity packages also on offer.
Noel Gallagher delivers update on Oasis Live ’25 reunion documentary
Danny Jones
In true Noel Gallagher fashion, the legendary Manchester musician has delivered an impromptu update on the upcoming Oasis reunion documentary in the middle of an off-the-cuff radio interview.
The elder Gallagher brother is no stranger to hopping on the airwaves, especially when it comes to sports and football, specifically, so plenty may have already been anticipating him giving his two cents following his much-loved Manchester City’s latest FA Cup win.
However, many definitely weren’t expecting him to casually throw in some new details about the highly anticipated Live ’25 tour documentary.
Swapping his semi-regular soapbox on talkSPORT for BBC Radio 5 Live‘s coverage this time, Noel revealed that neither he nor Liam Gallagher has yet to even seen the documentary movie.
NOEL GALLAGHER IS CURRENTLY MIXING THE SOUNDTRACK FOR THE NEW OASIS DOCUMENTARY- ADMITS HE'S NOT WATCHED IT YETpic.twitter.com/tdoODokj7k
— Oasis World Fan Page (@oasisworld_) May 18, 2026
Yes, believe it or not, the Manc brothers and all-around music icons, who reunited after 15 years to give us the Live ’25 world tour last summer, haven’t actually watched the edit for the latest Oasis film.
Noting that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and the rest of his co-directors and producers are still “tweaking” the final cut before showing it to the duo.
They are, famously, a rather opinionated pair, in fairness.
However, as you can hear straight from the horse’s mouth, it’s being described as “an emotional journey” primarily just from a fan perspective, noting that the focus is more on the people who kept this music and love for Oasis alive for all these years.
This short interview clip obviously comes after the news of a release date finally being announced, with details around the two different theatrical and digital launches now confirmed.
As Noel goes on to add, he has no worry about the audio side of things, as he is currently helping mix the live recordings of the tracks in the studio – nice to hear he is still having plenty of direct involvement.
Put simply, he says, “It’s all sounding great”, and he’s looking forward to watching it all back after the blur of experiencing it first-hand.
We’re sure Liam will only echo those sentiments; it remains unclear how much input he’s had in terms of post-production, but we’re sure he’ll have plenty of thoughts as always.
How many of you are planning to go and see it in cinemas, or are you happy waiting until it comes onto streaming platforms?
Emily Sergeant -
16th August 2022 
