National Trust slam business for Cerne Abbas Giant 'publicity stunt'

The National Trust has condemned the use of the Cerne Abbas Giant to promote black Friday deals.

Vocal Star Karaoke based in Poole recently used the Site of Special Scientific Interest to film a TikTok video, “without permission”.

The video, promoting “big deals”, has almost reached 50,000 views on TikTok and shows a young woman singing the ABBA classic and Karaoke go-to, Gimme Gimme Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), while sat on the Giant’s phallus.

A National Trust spokesperson told us: “As a scheduled Ancient Monument, the giant has the highest archaeological protection and any damage caused would be an offence.

“We are very concerned about this stunt, or any publicity stunt, that may in future encourage any damage, or potential damage, to this fragile site.”

This isn’t the first time the Cerne Abbas Giant has been used in a publicity stunt or piece of advertisement.

In 2017, Paddy Power broke onto the site of the 180ft chalk giant and armed him with a makeshift tennis racket and ball for a Wimbledon publicity stunt.

Then in 2020, pranksters donned the giant in a Borat-inspired mankini with the slogan ‘Wear Mask, Save Live’ to promote the ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’.

The National Trust spokesperson said: “It is our job to look after special places like this so everyone can enjoy them, and we know that visitors who come here have a huge emotional connection with this special place.”

The chalk is replaced every decade or so, a process that takes days of work by National Trust rangers and volunteers. The more the ground is disturbed, the quicker the 17th century giant erodes away.

Vocal Star Karaoke have since apologised for using the ancient monument and assured the public that they were respectful of the landmark and area at all times.

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