Channel 4 has apologised for a controversial marketing campaign for its series Naked Attraction on the London bus network.
Adverts on the sides of buses featured arrows pointing up at unsuspecting passengers on the top deck alongside messages such as "Loves Being Naked" and "Loves Naked Attraction".
The ad was spotted by stand-up comedian Tracy King, whose picture of a bus adorned with the advert went viral on social media.
"What the hell is this creepy bus ad?" she wrote. "You can't just label non-consenting passengers like that.
"Does Channel 4 not know how many sexual assaults take place on buses? Passengers shouldn't have to navigate, 'Am I the butt of a joke on my way to work today'."
Responding to the criticism, a C4 spokesperson told Metro: "This ad is based on a Channel 4 entertainment programme. It was not our intention to cause offence and we apologise if it has done so."
Meanwhile, Transport for London confirmed that the ad campaign would be discontinued, saying in a statement: "We work tirelessly to ensure public transport is a safe environment for everyone, and any report of sexual assault or inappropriate behaviour is investigated and treated extremely seriously.
"We have reviewed the ad campaign and decided that it should not continue to run on our bus network. It will be removed as soon as practicable."
What the hell is this creepy bus ad? You can't just label non-consenting passengers like that. Does @Channel4 not know how many sexual assaults take place on buses? pic.twitter.com/SQQoYUmFqv
— Tracy King (@tkingdot) August 30, 2021
Neil Wilkes
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