British Airways has decided to halt its backing of the Louis Theroux podcast following an episode featuring Bob Vylan’s frontman. This move comes after the punk duo caused a stir by chanting “death, death to the IDF” during a BBC livestreamed performance at Glastonbury Festival earlier this year.
Frontman Bobby Vylan, also known as Pascal Robinson-Foster, appeared on The Louis Theroux Podcast where he expressed no remorse for the controversial chant, stating that he would repeat it if given the chance.
British Airways took action to suspend its advertising on the podcast, citing a violation of its sponsorship policy around politically sensitive or contentious topics. The airline confirmed that the sponsorship had been paused and the advertisement removed, emphasizing the importance of adhering to their sponsorship guidelines.
In response to the situation, a BA spokesperson stated that they are investigating the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This move came after Jewish News initially reported the airline’s decision to suspend its sponsorship.
Following their performance at Glastonbury, Avon and Somerset police launched an investigation into the group’s actions. Subsequently, Bob Vylan faced consequences as they were dropped from various festivals and shows, including Radar festival and a German music venue gig, and their US tour was canceled due to visa issues. The group also had to cancel two UK shows under political pressure, including a scheduled performance in Manchester following calls from Jewish leaders and lawmakers to cancel the event.
Despite facing backlash, the band has garnered support from both existing and new fans, leading to a resurgence of their album “Humble As The Sun” in the charts over the summer months. The album topped the UK Hip Hop and R&B album charts, prompting the announcement of their upcoming We Won’t Go Quietly 2025 UK tour.
In a recent interview on the Louis Theroux Podcast, Vylan reiterated his stance on the controversial chant, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause and downplaying the backlash faced, emphasizing the suffering of the Palestinian people as his motivation.
Louis Theroux has been reached out to for comment by PA regarding the situation.