Lynx advert showing a squirrel ‘humping’ the deodorant can broadcast before the watershed during Britain’s Got Talent sparks outrage triggering 150 complaints to watchdog
- Unilever commissioned a 60-second advert to celebrate Lynx Africa’s birthday
- The popular deodorant, used by teenage boys, was first on the shelves in 1995
- In the advert, a teenage boy flies through time from 1995 to 2020 with his Lynx
- After meeting the girl of his dreams, a squirrel ‘uses’ the discarded deodorant
More than 150 people complained to watchdogs over a 60-second advert during last weekend’s Britain’s Got Talent which showed a squirrel ‘humping’ a can of Lynx deodorant.
The marathon advert celebrated the 25th anniversary of Lynx Africa showing various teenagers using the product over the course of the past three decades.
Viewers were happy with the earlier scenes in the advert, but when became outraged when they saw the squirrel becoming romantically involved with the can at approximately 8.45pm on Saturday.
The advert features a teenage boy who carries his trusty can of Lynx Africa deodorant through a time tunnel between 1995 and 2020
Along his bizarre journey through time, he passes by heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua
At the end of the advert, the can of deodorant is tossed on the floor where it is accosted by a squirrel, prompting complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority. A spokesperosn for Lynx Africa said they would not be broadcasting the advert before the watershed again
The advert features a teenager in 1995 testing out the product before he is sucked into a time tunnel and passes through various happy historic events, such as Euro ’96.
Along the journey, the teenager meets British world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Once the teenager arrives in 2020, he is thrust towards the girl of his dreams rolls on the ground, letting go of his can of deodorant. The girl picks up the can and sprays him with the product and then sprays herself. She then tosses away the can.
After the can comes to a halt on the ground, it is accosted by an amorous squirrel, leading to the outrage.
A total of 155 contacted the Advertising Standards Authority complaining about the ‘offensive’ advert, claiming it was ‘offensive’ and ‘inappropriately scheduled’. They also suggested it was ‘unsuitable for children’.
The ASA told Metro.co.uk: ‘We had 155 complaints about the Lynx TV ad featuring a squirrel behaving amorously with a deodorant can. No decision has been made on whether there are grounds for an investigation.’
Twitter users expressed surprise over the ending shot of the advert which was before the 9pm watershed on Saturday night.
One person described the advert as ‘inappropriate’ as they were watching TV with their family
A Lynx spokesperson said: ‘Although this advertising campaign complies with all broadcasting codes, it is never our intention to cause any offence. In future this version of the advertisement will only be broadcast after 9pm.’
Twitter users expressed surprise over the ending shot of the advert which was before the 9pm watershed on Saturday night
One person described the advert as ‘inappropriate’ as they were watching TV with their family