Rhodri Giggs’ Paddy Power ‘loyalty’ advert banned as watchdog finds it suggests ‘gambling could boost self-esteem’
A CHEEKY “loyalty” ad where Rhodri Giggs mocks brother Ryan for his affair with his ex-wife has been banned for glamorising gambling. Five viewers complained Rhodri asking for champagne and driving a sports car suggested betting boosts self-esteem and can boost your lifestyle. The Advertising Standards Authority felt the Paddy Power Rewards ad implied Rhodri […]
A CHEEKY “loyalty” ad where Rhodri Giggs mocks brother Ryan for his affair with his ex-wife has been banned for glamorising gambling.
Five viewers complained Rhodri asking for champagne and driving a sports car suggested betting boosts self-esteem and can boost your lifestyle.
The Advertising Standards Authority felt the Paddy Power Rewards ad implied Rhodri was reaping financial gain as it ended with the 41-year-old saying: “Loyalty gets you nowhere, live for rewards instead”.
The watchdog said of the ad: “We considered that created the impression that Rhodri was no longer defined by the alleged affair and that he had moved past his ‘loyalty’ and was now reaping the rewards, both financially and in terms of his own self-image.
“The ad implied viewers should follow his example, and that their route to doing so was joining Paddy Power’s Rewards Club.
“For that reason, we considered the ad implied gambling was a way to achieve financial security and improved self-image, and we concluded the ad was irresponsible.”
The video entitled “Loyalty is dead” makes plenty of digs at Manchester United legend Ryan, 45, who is now the Wales boss, for his eight-year relationship with Rhodri’s former wife Natasha Lever.
The brothers have not spoken to each other for seven years as the affair tore the Giggs family apart.
‘LIVE FOR REWARDS’
Rhodri begins the ad by saying he “wants to talk to you about loyalty”.
He then pops to his local pub, the Prince of Wales, where the barmaid is standing in front of a wandering cock poster.
She asks Rhodri if he wants a pint of bitter, to which he replies: “Not anymore Pam, champagne please.”
Rhodri smirks to the camera after watching Wales lose on the TV, while the commentator states: “Questions will be asked of the manager.”
Next, he goes to a park and teases his own lack of footballing talent compared to Ryan.
By this stage the ad is really stirring it up – in a light-hearted way – as Rhodri drinks tea out of a Manchester City mug while reading a newspaper with the headline: “United legend REJECTED for dream job.”
Rhodri’s on-screen partner then tells him she is nipping out to the shops, with Rhodri saying: “We do need milk.”
And when Rhodri is filmed boxing at a gym he is urged to think of someone who makes him angry.
The video climaxes with Rhodri driving off in a convertible saying, “Loyalty gets you nowhere. Live for rewards instead.”
But he has since insisted Ryan will see the funny side of it all.
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Rhodri said: “I’m sure, after the initial defensiveness, he’ll have a laugh about it.
“It’s funny. The whole thing is just me poking fun at the situation, because I’m over it.
“I’m not in the dark place I was years ago, I’ve moved on, he’s moved on, my ex-wife has moved on.”
