Lastminute.com has been reprimanded by the UK’s advertising watchdog for mentioning sex offender Gary Glitter in an advertisement for children’s theatre tickets.The 1970s British “glam rocker” was jailed two weeks ago in Vietnam for child sex acts.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in a statement said that the advert was likely to cause serious or widespread offence.

The advertisement in an e-mail campaign contained two young boys used to highlight plays and theatre tickets in London.

The tagline read: “Like Gary Glitter in a sweet shop, you too can have your pick of kiddy treats in London’s theatre world”.

The e-mail was headlined: “Doing It For The Kids.”

Lastminute.com has apologised and said the advert had now been withdrawn.

A spokesman for the website told the BBC: “We aim to create advertising which makes us stand out. However, on this occasion we realise that there has been an error in our judgment.”
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