A paint manufacturer is facing an investigation after dozens of formal complaints over its latest advert. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is now considering whether to launch an investigation into Crown Paints' "Hannah & Dave" advert, reports the BBC.
Comedian Jenny Eclair was among those complaining, taking to Twitter to say: "Get that offensive baby ad off the air - what were you thinking!!!? What on earth possessed you?"
People have said the advert implies a woman who has been in a four-year relationship with a man conned him into fatherhood. The 30-second advert is part of a new series from Crown Paint called 'Life Stories'.
It tells the story of Hannah and Dave who met four years ago at an illegal rave and are now expecting a baby - and are painting their nursery. It says that while Hannah is hoping for a girl, Dave is just 'hoping that it's his'.
The paint firm said it appreciated "people have differing views on humour". Jenny Eclair said it: "basically... set up a scenario that implies a woman has possibly conned a man into fatherhood".
Other Twitter users said the advert was "offensive", "misogynistic" and a "serious error of judgement".
Mrs G tweeted: "Even I did a sharp intake of breath when I saw it and I don’t get offended easily!"
The Automation Mentor tweeted: "Sounds like their ad agency has a dinosaur working there, even in the 70's it would be offensive!"
A spokeswoman for the paint firm said: "Whilst the ad has been broadly well received, we appreciate that people have differing views on humour and we apologise if any of the lyrics have caused offence."
The ASA said it had received 58 complaints about the advert and was "currently assessing [them] carefully to determine whether there are grounds for an investigation".
