Aitch has spoken out about the massive backlash he faced when an advert promoting his debut album was painted over a tribute mural to the late Ian Curtis.
The Moston-born rapper, 22, said he was ‘the most hated person in Manchester’ after social media users caught wind of the replacement artwork.
The original mural of the late Joy Division singer was commissioned to raise awareness for mental health and raise money for charities Manchester Mind and Help Musicians, and painted by renowned muralist Akse.
The Aitch advert. Credit: The Manc GroupThe original Ian Curtis mural. Credit: UnsplashAitch has spoken out about the backlash he received over the cover-up of the Ian Curtis mural
A lot of the vitriol was directed at Aitch despite his insistence that he doesn’t pick where his promotional materials are placed.
The young star has now said about how ‘fuming’ he was in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
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He said: “I was fuming, for two reasons. I was fuming for Ian and his people and what that mural stands for.
“And then I was fuming for myself because I was having such a good week, I was like ‘Yeah the album’s coming out in a couple days, I can’t wait, everything’s going so well’, and the the next minute I was the most hated person in Manchester for about 40 minutes.
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'I was the most hated person in Manchester for about 40 minutes' Rapper Aitch has told #BBCBreakfast he will have a mural of music icon Ian Curtis "fixed pronto" after it was painted over with an advert for his new album.https://t.co/WlHMJRX7lMpic.twitter.com/mxXmZsO13P
“It was out of my control, there was nothing I could do apart from put a stop to it and get it fixed, and that’s obviously exactly what I done, so I think everyone’s my friend again now.”
He also told BBC Breakfast that the first he knew of it was when the backlash began on Twitter.
Aitch said: “I don’t pick and choose where I put my billboards or album promo. I just wake up and drive past it or see it on the internet, just like everyone else.
“So basically I seen it and straight away made a phone call, we spoke to Amazon, we spoke to the artist who originally done Ian’s mural, and we just put a stop to mine straight away and we’re gonna get it either restored or redone by the original artist.”
Amazon Music said on 19 August, three days after the mural incident occurred: “As part of our efforts to promote Aitch’s new album, we asked our ad agency to create a mural in his hometown of Manchester.
“Unbeknownst to us or to Aitch, the wall the agency chose for the new artwork already had a mural on it — one honouring the late great Ian Curtis.
The original Ian Curtis mural. Credit: Unsplash
“As soon as we learned of this, we ordered the production to stop, and are working with Aitch to restore or replace the original Ian Curtis mural as soon as possible. Our apologies to all who are justifiably upset.”
At the time, Headstock said: “Absolutely gutted to see our Ian Curtis mural painted over. Such a shame when @AmazonMusicUK had pretty much any other wall in Manchester to choose from. Especially when it was created by @Akse_P19 to raise mental health awareness in support of @GiveUsAShout #mentalhealth.”
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If you’re struggling with mental health, know that you are never alone – you can reach out for support in Greater Manchester through these brilliant charities.
Manchester Mind – An organisation that has supported people in Manchester for over 30 years. Most services are now available over the phone, by email or video call. The number is 0161 769 5732 and the opening hours are Monday – Friday, 10am -2pm.
The GM Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust – The local NHS helpline is open 24/7 which you can call any time, day or night, if you feel your mental health is beginning to suffer: 0800 953 0285.
Andy’s Man Club – A group dedicated to starting conversations about mental health, assuring people that it’s ok to talk. You can contact them by email on: [email protected].
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably supports people via phone and webchat. You can call 0800 58 58 58 or speak to a support worker online. Open 5pm – midnight.
Samaritans – The Manchester & Salford Samaritans offer emotional support by telephone and email. The phone lines and email support are available 24/7. Call 116 123 or visit the website.
Featured image: BBC Breakfast
TV & Showbiz
Sarah Harding breast cancer study has helped save over 80 women
Thomas Melia
A life-saving study set in memory of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding has seen her lasting legacy extend far beyond music, as now women across the country are getting cancer tests more frequentlythanks to the research.
Funded by The Christie, The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal began its first phase of the BCAN-RAY (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Younger Women) back in May 2023.
Led by Dr Sacha Howell, who was Harding’s consultant, the work explores risk factors and creates personalised early screening options for women as young as 30.
This is extremely important as currently women are only invited for routine breast screenings every three years from 50 onwards. Awareness and being proactive are just as important as research.
Sarah Harding, who passed away in 2021, has a dedicated mural in her hometown of Stockport.Credit: The Manc Group
The studies set up in Sarah‘s legacy are vital now more than ever as breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women aged 35-50 years in the UK.
These more frequent and routine checks from a younger age will be vital, especially since an estimated 10,000 women a year are diagnosed under 50.
The BCAN-RAY study has recruited 500 women aged between 30 and 39 years old, who have had their risk assessment appointments.
Out of this number – 404 patients have been given their risks – 316 as ‘average risk’ and 88 were found as ‘increased risk’.
88 were found as ‘increased risk’ with 58 of these receiving telephone calls to discuss further implications and discuss strategies to reduce this such as diet, exercise and medication.
So far 18 women have had their first mammogram, with no recalls or cancer identified. Following this, each woman is offered regular screening every year until their NHS breast screening starts at age 50.
Dr Sacha Howell commented, “We’re really confident that we have a system that is working, from the results so far, which is great news, these findings mean that we may be able to offer personalised ways to predict and prevent breast cancer more widely in the population in future”.
Girls Aloud featured a glorious tribute to Sarah Harding each night of the show.The lovely Sarah Harding singing to Manchester one last time.Credit: Audio North
In 2022, The Christie art and relaxation room received a wonderful makeover from proceeds raised at the Primrose Ball organised by Girls Aloud.
Within this room, visitors can find a lovely framed picture of Sarah Harding with the quote, “The darkest nights produce the brightest stars” and with all the work accomplished so far, we couldn’t agree more.
If you would like to show your support and help fund this life-changing research set up in Sarah’s legacy, you can donate HERE.
‘Open-minded’ single Mancs wanted for new series of hit reality show Love Is Blind UK
Emily Sergeant
The next series of hit reality dating show Love Is Blind UK is currently in the works, and Mancs are being encouraged to apply.
‘Open-minded’ and single Mancs that is, of course.
There’s no denying that Love Is Blind has become a smash-hit since the US version first aired on Netflix in the early days of lockdown in 2020, with four additional seasons airing afterwards, and the UK remake hosted by Matt and Emma Willis first hitting our screens last August.
If you’ve never had the chance to watch it before, the show promotes itself as a social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, all before meeting in person.
The cast members are initially paired up in a speed-dating format, but later can choose to have longer dates, and the daters may extend a marriage proposal whenever they feel ready, but a couple only meets face-to-face for the first time after a marriage proposal is accepted.
The series has gained a cult following over the years, receiving mostly positive reviews by critics too.
Following the success of the first UK series, producers have now put a casting call live and are on the look out for people brave enough to fall in love without seeing their partner in person to apply – including Greater Manchester residents.
A casting call on the Love Is Blind UK website reads: “Love is Blind UK is currently on the lookout for single, open-minded individuals from across the UK and Ireland, who are ready to take the plunge into finding true love.
‘Open-minded’ single Mancs are wanted for the next series of hit reality show Love Is Blind UK / Credit: Netflix
The show is all about discovering whether love really is blind, with participants growing deep connections with potential partners without the initial distractions of physical appearance.
“It’s an exciting and unique approach to finding love, and one that has proven successful in the past… so, if you’re ready for an adventure and want to explore the possibility of finding love in a new and exciting way, then why not consider applying for Love is Blind UK?
“It could be the start of an incredible journey towards finding the one.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the second series of Love Is Blind UK are now live, and you must be 18 years of age or over to apply, and have the right to reside in the UK or Ireland.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd August 2022 
