Domestic violence campaigners have slammed pop star Olly Murs over recent Tik Tok videos he’s posted to his Instagram account – saying they ‘encourage abuse dressed up as banter’.
Troublemaker singer Murs, 35, and girlfriend Amelia Tank, 27, have been entertaining his 3.2million fans on the social media platform with lighthearted videos of their life in lockdown.
However, his recent two posts have been heavily criticised by campaigners against domestic abuse – after the couple used aggressive language in one and Murs tricked Tank into touching his penis in another.
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Posted yesterday, a new TikTok by the star, 35, saw Murs acting out with girlfriend Amelia Tank, 27, a comedy scene that uses violent language from the 2008 film Step Brothers. He’s seen telling Tank ‘I want to punch you square in the face’, something which has sparked criticism from domestic violence campaigners
Tank, pictured in bed with Murs, responds with more lines from the famous Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly film, saying: ‘Hope you stay still when you’re asleep, because I’m putting a rat-trap between your legs’
Not happy: Another TikTok saw Murs place his manhood into an empty Pringles tube, which was then placed in a very suggestive position – Tank was less than impressed when she reached in for a crisp
Critics said that acting out the lines from Step Brothers – about two step-siblings who can’t stand each other and often threaten violence – had a different impact when read out loud between a heterosexual couple in a domestic environment
The first video, posted yesterday, saw the star acting out with Amelia a comedy scene that uses violent language from the 2008 film Step Brothers.
Murs is seen uttering at his girlfriend one of the scene’s famous lines: ‘I want to punch you square in the face’.
Tank, pictured in bed with Murs, responds with more lines from the Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly film, saying: ‘Hope you stay still when you’re asleep, because I’m putting a rat-trap between your legs’.
And last night the Voice star, who shot to fame after coming second on The X Factor in 2009, shared a video of himself putting his manhood into an empty Pringles tube before offering his girlfriend a crisp from the same tube as they sat watching TV.
On Twitter, many called the comedy inappropriate, with some domestic abuse survivors saying the videos, intended to be lighthearted, weren’t funny.
Calls to domestic abuse help lines have soared as victims are trapped with abusive partners during the coronavirus lockdown, it was reported last month.
The charity Refuge, which runs a freephone helpline 24/7, has seen a 25 per cent increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown.
Campaigner Rachel Williams, who almost lost her life to her former partner Darren Williams and saw her teenage son take his own life due to the trauma of her attack, said the videos ‘weren’t funny’.
Williams tweeted: ‘Not the best message to put out by @ollymurs knowing the epidemic domestic abuse is. Sadly I and others don’t find it funny.’
The star took the lid off the tube to show that both sides were now gone and held it up to his eye like a telescope
Murs played the prank on Amelia using an empty Pringles tube when relaxing at home on Monday
Wearing a red Mickey Mouse T-shirt, the Troublemaker singer began the TikTok video by cutting off the bottom of the empty tube with a can opener and showing the camera
Others said the star should be more aware of his huge under 18 fan base. TikTok can be accessed by children aged 13 plus.
@eilidhfife wrote: ‘I think many kids would get it, but to have a man and woman recreate it puts a whole different light on it. Bad idea.’
@refugemummy added: ‘so disappointed to see your video. A celebrity role model for so many young boys and girls.. you’re teaching the boys it’s ok to be violent towards girls, and the girls to expect to be abused.. not to mention supporting men using excuses for their abusive behaviour.
@nina_mrs_mummy complained: ‘Appalling tik tok video which will encourage boys/men to ignore consent boundaries. Children as young as 9yo have #TikTok a/c’s & would follow him. ‘It feels like we’re constantly firefighting this abuse dressed as “bantz”‘.
MailOnline has contacted Olly Murs for comment.