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An advert for one of Britain’s biggest gyms has sparked outrage by declaring: ‘When the aliens come, they will eat the fatties first.’ The campaign, featuring a little green man, was meant to encourage people to join up and shed pounds put on over Christmas.
But instead slimmers have branded the ad in offensive and weight loss experts said the ‘negative message’ is more likely to drive people away.Signs put up near the health club and spa at Cadbury House Hotel in Congresbury, Bristol, read: ‘Advance health warning! When the aliens come, they will eat the fatties first.’
However, mother-of-two Vicky Palmer, who suffered from an eating disorder as a teenager, believes the sign should be removed immediately. Mrs Palmer, 45, of Churchill, Somerset, said: ‘I would like to think that their hotline is very “hot” with people phoning to complain about this degrading and offensive advertising.
‘I am not overweight yet I still find this extremely offensive and patronising but how much more so to someone genuinely overweight? ‘People who have a weight problem may also suffer with low self esteem and this advert is not going to help them in any way.
‘The people who came up with this idea and sanctioned the advert need a good, stiff kick up the backside, and if that backside is a rather bony one, then they will feel this all the more.’ The health club and spa is attached to the 72-bedroom Cadbury House Hotel, which is part of the prestigious Hilton Doubletree chain.
However, the centre, which boasts two gym studios, a spa, salon, bistro and won European Club of the Year in 2007, is managed separately to the hotel.
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