Walkers apologises after competition saw Gary Lineker holding pictures of serial killers and paedophiles

Walkers has deleted the offensive videos, but most have been preserved by quick-off-the-mark Twitter users.

By Paul Hosford Thursday 25 May 2017, 10:53 PM

May 25th 2017, 10:53 PM 48,808 Views 29 Comments

https://jrnl.ie/3409308

WALKERS CRISPS HAS apologised for a selfie competition which was hijacked by pictures of serial killers.

walkers wave Source: Twitter/@walkers_crisps

The crisp makers launched a competition to win tickets to the Champions League final inviting competitors to tweet Walker’s their selfies, which would be featured in an automatic video starring their spokesman Gary Lineker.

However, the competition was taken over in typical internet fashion.

Soon, Gary Lineker was inadvertently saying “Nice selfie!” to people like Fred West and Rolf Harris:

walkers Source: Twitter

walkers wave2

The joke replies started trending on Twitter in the UK and Ireland:

Walkers Crisps, @walkers_crisps is now trending in Irelandhttps://t.co/Cbe4kDcEHc pic.twitter.com/dFdoEUnYXo
— Trendsmap Ireland (@TrendsIreland) May 25, 2017

Source: Trendsmap Ireland/Twitter

Walkers has deleted the offensive videos, but most have been preserved by quick-off-the-mark Twitter users:

There's Gary Lineker with Joseph Stalin. Well done, Walkers. Well done. #WalkersWave pic.twitter.com/7jwMogLOdh
— Ben (@Jamin2g) May 25, 2017

Source: Ben/Twitter

Now then, now then, who thought #WalkersWave was a good idea? pic.twitter.com/zAhFdb2yx3
— Graham Love (@GLove39) May 25, 2017

Source: Graham Love/Twitter

Gary Lineker poses with Harold Shipman and Jimmy Savile as #WalkersWave promotion goes wrong https://t.co/RyslrxXAu6 pic.twitter.com/nT0ulYAYrI
— NME (@NME) May 25, 2017

Source: NME/Twitter

The company has apologised to the public for the videos, saying that they are upset by the automated tweets being hijacked.

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 on Walkers Wave.

They have shut down all activity on the ad campaign.

With reporting by Valerie Loftus for DailyEdge.ie

Read: ‘€100,000 was spent on pens and medallions for retiring university staff’

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Walkers apologises after competition saw Gary Lineker holding pictures of serial killers and paedophiles

Walkers has deleted the offensive videos, but most have been preserved by quick-off-the-mark Twitter users.