A primary school quits their Twitter account after complaints their childrens’ viral video singing Vindaloo is promoting hooliganism.
Astonishingly Flakefleet Primary School, who have often been in the public eye for their rather cute videos as well as being on Britains Got Talent, got rid its their social media after their version of a popular football anthem made in support of Euros 2020 was attacked.
The Lancashire school’s pupils once reached the final of the ITV show, and since then recorded and filmed their own version of Fat Les’s chart hit Vindaloo.
In keeping with the original, which starred Lily Allen’s actor father Keith, the video shows crowds marching and barging into people, itself in keeping of The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony promo.
But despite it being clearly good-natured fun, Twitter users pounced on the harmless footage, just showing how ridiculous and out of hand social media is getting.
One troll branded the innocent children ‘a sea of aggressive white faces’ while another called it ‘disgusting behaviour’ and ‘mindless hooliganism’.
This led to the school – which promotes its social media on its website – pulling down its Twitter feed. However it then later returned, not letting the haters win.
Head teacher Dave McPartlin, unavailable for comment to the media due to a pupils trip to Alton Towers, appeared to reference the attacks.
He wrote online: ‘There are times that social media can be amazing and make such brilliant things happen, but it can also be a dark and disturbing place that really makes you question the direction society is heading.’
The school have urged people to send in videos of them marching for the video back on the 29th of June to show support for the Euros.
Contributors were told to email them in to the project, which they had dubbed ‘The Big Vindaloo’.
Weeks earlier a different video of them showing their support over the strains of Land of Hope and Glory went viral.
At the time Mr McPartlin said: ‘Things have been a bit serious over the last 12 months, because of the Covid lockdowns.
‘In school, we weren’t able to celebrate Christmas in the school like we usually do.
‘So this was just a chance for us to be a have a bit of fun and get everyone involved.
‘We really did have a lot of of fun making this one and were able to lend a little bit of support to the England team at the same time.’
Their Vindaloo version had an even wider reach after it was featured on BBC Breakfast recently.
The condemnation from some social media users are understood to have been the reason for them taking down their Twitter presence.
One person declared: ‘The school has pulled down its Twitter account. I’ve left a complaint on its website.
‘It’s disgusting behaviour these children are being pressed to participate in by the school. I have a 7 year old child.
‘I absolutely do not want her to be exposed to this mindless hooliganism.’
Another said: ‘Very depressing. What does it even mean? Poor kids, already brainwashed. A sea of aggressive white faces… Is that global Britain?
‘Just check the amazing English team and learn from it.’
The school came to public attention back in 2019 when they flew through auditions performing ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen.
As they went through the different rounds, Amanda Holden told them: ‘You just bring so much happiness to us four, and the nation at large’.
Simon Cowell was seen beeming and told them: ‘it’s funny, it’s great, it’s optimistic – I think you have a chance of winning the whole show’.
The British public went on to vote them in sixth place in the final after performing Take That’s Rule The World.
Fans reacted after seeing the school quits Twitter and return after complaints their childrens’ Vindaloo song is promoting hooliganism…
@AnnaBritannia: It was fantastic! I just loved to see happy children and brilliant teachers. This is the schooling every child needs. Yes it made me smile! Burst with pride at the patriotic kids!! WELL DONE TO YOU ALL xx
@_efmb_: Fantastic – it’s a wonderful video, so good to see all those happy smiling faces. Wish my daughter’s school would do something similar! Well done to all concerned. It’s coming home (hopefully) ps ignore the few negative comments – can’t please everyone etc…
@PaulGC84: What a fantastic video. Clearly the staff & children put so much effort into it. Children & families have had a horrendous 18 months so it’s great to see Flakefleet Primary getting them smiling! Ignore the trolls. What you’ve done is amazing!
@cpenguina: Fabulous to see schoolchildren having so much fun and being patriotic at the same time! Well done to the headteacher and all staff concerned!
@Louise_katz: Wonderful video! So lovely to see all the happy faces! Also wonderful to see a sense of pride in our country. Well done @Flaketweet
@Chris53610351: Loved the video and like so many others, really put a smile on my face. Please don’t be bullied by a small minority of permanently outraged people. Teach our children to address mindless bullying.
@Happygbeanz2: The kids obviously had a brilliant time, which is lovely to see after all they have had to put up with. Your pupils are lucky to be in your school. Well done, and ignore the haters. They’re sad individuals who want everybody to be as miserable as them!
@CasualsNorthern: Ignore the Twitter Woke brigade.
@WoofTheWolf2: When will this shit ever end?
@LizzieDulally: You are a breath of fresh air, well done. if only other schools could be enlightened enough to follow your example.
@holloway1_w: My grandson attends Flakefleet Primary School & I can assure anybody who thinks the children were coerced into being involved in their excellent rendition of Vindaloo are completely wrong & need to get a life!!!
@wood_steve54: The video was brilliant, the kids looked liked they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. There are some pea brained, unintelligent fun sponges who need to go and get a life! Probably some current university student who needs their safe spaces and are feeling hurty. Great video
@ShedHender: Yep – ‘cancel culture’ strikes again. It was a brilliant video
@StewartPinner1: The huge majority of us absolutely loved it. Well done the teachers and kids. Don’t worry about the left wing haters they are only happy when they are hating it’s what they do.
Hey guys, continue to do your thing and never back down…in line with our motto continue to #datetodream
Ignore all the criticism guys!!!
Continue to be you and continue to #datetodream 🏴⚽ pic.twitter.com/Ha3RYXxG6W
— Hubb & Wills (@HubbandWills) July 5, 2021
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