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James McClean Refuses To Wear Red Poppy, But Here Are Four Celebrities Who Show He's Not Alone

5 Famous People Who Have Exercised Their Freedom Of Choice Over The Red Poppy
Kathryn Snowdon
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West Brom footballer James McClean refused to wear a poppy during a match on Saturday, sparking a debate over whether figures in the public eye should have to wear the commemorative flower.

McClean, who has received death threats in the past for shunning the red symbol, said he will not wear a poppy on his shirt during his next match this weekend either.

His actions follow Sienna Miller's controversial decision not to wear a red poppy during an appearance on the BBC's The Graham Norton Show on Friday.

Celebrities, presenters and even guests tend to incur the wrath of angry viewers if they appear without the red commemorative flower.

Former Eastenders actress, Barbara Windsor, said last week that those who choose not to wear a poppy can "sod off".

SEE ALSO:

Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has been forced to clarify that he will be wearing a red poppy as he lays a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Here's a list of celebrities who have decided not to wear a red poppy.

Famous People Who Have Refused To Wear A Poppy
Sienna Miller(01 of05)
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On Friday's The Graham Norton Show, the 33-year-old actress caused a stir after viewers spotted that her outfit was missing one key garment - a red poppy.

The missing commemorative flower was particularly noticeable as those who appear on the BBC are rarely seen without a poppy. Ms Miller appeared alongside co-star Bradley Cooper, who did wear a poppy, as the pair promoted their new film, Burnt.

A source close to Ms Miller told The Sun she that was wearing the poppy "but it was taken off as she went on air as it was pulling on the clothes".

Many people reacted angrily, with some people labelling her "disrespectful" and others telling her "shame on you".

Others leapt to Ms Miller's defence, saying they could not understand the "rage" being directed at the star.
 (credit:Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
Jon Snow(02 of05)
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The Channel 4 journalist and presenter has been criticised in the past for not wearing a poppy. Yet Jon Snow has hit out at the "poppy fascism" which sees public figures being lambasted for not wearing the red symbol when appearing on television.

Pointing at his "abstract" choice of ties, the 68-year-old said that he does not believe in "wearing anything which represents any kind of statement".

In a blog, Mr Snow wrote: "I am begged to wear an Aids Ribbon, a breast cancer ribbon, a Marie Curie flower… You name it, from the Red Cross to the RNIB, they send me stuff to wear to raise awareness, and I don’t. And in those terms, and those terms alone, I do not and will not wear a poppy.

"Additionally there is a rather unpleasant breed of poppy fascism out there – ‘he damned well must wear a poppy!’. Well I do, in my private life, but I am not going to wear it or any other symbol on air."
 (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
James McClean(03 of05)
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Footballer, James McClean, has again sparked controversy after he said that he will not be wearing a Remembrance Day poppy on his West Brom shirt.

The 26-year-old winger will not wear a red poppy because it "stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in".

The Irish footballer said that he would "wear it every day of the year" if the symbol only represented World War One and World War Two victims, adding: "[But] because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that [British conflicts]."

McClean has received death threats in the past for refusing to wear a red poppy.
 (credit:Nigel French/PA Archive)
Charlene White(04 of05)
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ITV News presenter, Charlene White, has been the target of a torrent of abuse following her decision to shun the poppy. The 35-year-old said that she chooses not to wear a poppy on screen because she feels uncomfortable "supporting just one charity above all others".

The presenter said last year that she is not allowed to visually support charities while presenting due to impartiality rules, this includes symbols such as red ribbon for World Aids Day and a purple band for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

As a result, she does not wear a poppy on air because she believes it to be unfair on other charities.
Evan Davis(05 of05)
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Questions have been circulating on Twitter about why the Newsnight presenter has not been wearing a red poppy over the last few days.

While some congratulated Davis, saying they warmed to him because of it, others told him to "show some respect".

In the past, the 53-year-old presenter said he "approve[d]' of poppies, but questioned the length of time they are worn for.
 (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
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