Walkers Crisps #WalkersWave Selfie Stunt Backfires In Spectacular Fashion

Fred West and Harold Shipman probably weren't supposed to star with Gary Lineker.
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A Walkers Crisps PR campaign fronted by Gary Lineker has backfired in spectacular fashion - the end result being the football legend holding up portraits of questionable characters, who also perform a Mexican wave.

The crisps giant asks users to send in selfies on Twitter to feature in the #WalkersWave, with the prize of Champions League tickets on offer. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, one of selfies was of serial killer Harold Shipman.

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Walkers Crisps

And disgraced BBC star Jimmy Savile.

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Walkers Crisps

And another mass murderer, Fred West.

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Walkers Crisps

And Rolf Harris, who has recently been released from jail. 

 

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This is Harold Shipman doing a Mexican wave.

And the ‘Yorkshire Ripper’, Peter Sutcliffe.

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And Russian dictator, Joseph Stalin.

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But it wasn’t all bad buys. Here’s former US Vice-President Joe Biden.

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Walkers Crisps

In a statement, the firm apologised for “irresponsible and offensive posts by individuals”, and said the campaign has been shut down.

Each video started with Lineker holding a framed picture in front of his face, and the Mach of the Day presenter saying: “Thanks for joining the Walkers Wave and celebrating the UEFA Champions League final.”

Lineker pauses to look at the portrait of the “entrant” before turning to the camera, and adding: “Nice selfie”.

A Walkers Crisps spokesperson said:

“We recognise people were offended by irresponsible and offensive posts by individuals, and we apologise. We are equally upset and have shut down all activity.”

Twitter went in to meltdown.