Take That singer Howard Donald apologises after liking a series of offensive tweets

Donald Howard

take that Singer Donald Howard has apologized after liking a series of offensive tweets.

Over the weekend, Howard came under fire on social media when users noticed that he had liked a number of posts containing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments.

Pink News reported that one of the posts called for “defunding Disney” alongside a photo of a Pride concert held at one of the company’s theme parks, while another argued that “no woman should have a penis” and “no man should have a vagina.”

Another tweet, which Howard reportedly liked, said that “only women have periods” and that implying that others – including nonbinary people and many trans men – do too is “an insult to women.”

He also reportedly liked tweets supporting the former US president Donald Trump and influencers Andrew TateThe latter is currently under house arrest on suspicion of human trafficking and organized crime.

According to The Independent, Howard also liked a tweet from an account called “End Wokeness” about TV star Issa Rae’s 2017 statement that she would be “cheering on all black people” at the Emmys that year.

Sky News also reported that the tweets liked by Howard also included conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11 and the Covid pandemic, with the latter being described as a “hoax” in a post liked by the singer.

Howard subsequently deleted his Twitter account and apologized on Saturday, writing that he had made a “major error in judgment.”

Take That at the premiere of Greatest Days on Saturday

“I made a huge mistake by liking social media posts that were derogatory towards the LGBTQIA+ community. I am deeply sorry for that and I know I have disappointed everyone,” he said.

“I am truly disappointed in myself and sorry for hurting others through my uneducated behavior.

“I clearly still have a lot to learn and that is a priority for me.”

The chart-topper was due to close the show with a DJ set at this year’s Groovebox Pride event in Nottingham, but promoters later confirmed that they had dropped Howard from the line-up.

“In light of recent events, Howard Donald will no longer be playing at our Nottingham Pride Festival,” said Groovebox. “We would like to thank the public for alerting us to the situation this morning and also thank you for your patience while we spoke to the relevant parties.”

Howard is one of the founding members of Take That and continues to perform in the band, along with Gary Barlow And Mark Owen.

The trio made their last public appearance together last month, headlining King Charles’ coronation concert.

On Saturday they also performed at the premiere of the new film musical “Greatest Days,” whose soundtrack includes their hits.

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