THE controversial Paddy Power advert featuring Rhodri Giggs has been banned by the Advertising Standards Agency.
The video entitled “Loyalty is dead” makes a number of digs at the Manchester United legend who is now manager of Wales for his eight-year relationship with Rhodri’s former wife Natasha Lever.
The Advertising Standards Agency have vanned the because they believe it glamorises gambling.
ASA said: “We considered [the ad] 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.
“The ad implied viewers should follow his example, and that their route to doing so was joining Paddy Power’s Rewards Club.
“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, titled “Loyalty is dead,” constantly references the much-publicised incident which tore the Giggs family apart, as well as the brothers’ subsequent fall-out.
Giggs started off the advert by saying that he “wants to talk to you about loyalty” – before he takes a trip to his local pub – named the Prince of Wales.
The barmaid – standing in front of a wandering cock poster – then asks him if he would like a pint of bitter, to which the 41-year-old replies: “Not anymore Pam, champagne please.”
Rhodri then gives a smirk to the camera after watching Wales lose on the television after the commentator states: “Questions will be asked of the manager.”
Giggs then plays up to his lack of footballing talent in the park in comparison to the Manchester United hero, as a bloke in the background takes his top off and swings it around.
This is followed by him taking a swig of his cup of tea out of a Manchester City mug while reading a newspaper with the headline: “United legend REJECTED for dream job.”
His on-screen partner then states she is nipping out to the shops, to which Rhodri says: “We do need milk.”
While he is also urged to think of someone who makes him angry during a boxing session at the gym, before finishing his voice over by saying, “Loyalty gets you nowhere. Live for rewards instead,” as he drives off in a convertible.
Speaking of the advert, Rhodri – who hasn’t spoken to Ryan in seven years – 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.”
