Furious Mel B backtracks over demands Tesco remove her picture from Clubcard campaign after it’s used in bus stops
MEL B has backtracked after furiously demanding Tesco removes her picture from its Clubcard campaign after she launched a complaint.
Photographs of Mel's face were plastered on bus stops with a speech bubble coming out of her mouth saying: "Stop right now. You get 10% off two big shops a month for £7.99."
The Spice Girls star ordered CEO Dave Lewis to contact her after discovering she has been featured on the supermarket's latest advert.
The singer shared the image asking for the Tesco boss to get in touch, but now the brand has claimed it had permission to use the image.
Mel B refused to give any comment, but today gave a lengthy explanation on her Instagram where she denied being unhappy about the image being used.
Meanwhile a Tesco spokesman told The Sun Online: “Here at Tesco we are really big fans of Mel B and were excited to feature her photo in our campaign. We had authorisation to use this image, but we’re sorry Mel B is unhappy and so we’ve stopped using it.”
Earlier she begged the CEO to get in touch, hinting her image has been used without her permission.
She wrote: "Can the CEO OF @tescofood DAVE LEWIS PLEASE CONTACT ME URGENTLY. Thank you."
And her followers found the whole thing hilarious, writing a string of funny responses under the post.
One wrote: "Guess what they want, really really want is a lawsuit hun!"
Another said: "Hahaha.....Did you not get the email??"
A third said: "Oooo I smell a lawsuit!!!"
But in a shock U-turn, Mel today said: "For the record, I just want to let everyone know about my Tesco Clubcard Plus involvement because there has been soo much fuss about it and soo many unfounded rumours.
"There was NEVER any issue about me being unhappy with my image being used and there was NEVER any issue about Tesco being given permission to use the image.
"I did this campaign for Women’s Aid to raise awareness and to raise funds. There was a miscommunication between some of the parties dealing with it but luckily Tesco has been amazing. Women’s Aid sadly lost funding a few weeks ago which was why I decided to do this campaign. I’m really pleased that Tesco understands how important Women’s Aid is to me, and has agreed to match my fee in donation to the charity.
"This money is a game-changer for them. It will keep their live chat line running for the next six months and all over Christmas.
"This service literally saves lives. One in four women are affected by domestic violence. I am never going to stop trying to help. Thank you Tesco. @womens_aid @tescofood."
Tesco's latest ad campaign features cultural references from the past 100 years for its 100th anniversary, with the tagline: "Prices that take you back."
Dave recently announced he was quitting Tesco after five years, declaring its turnaround complete.
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The Sun On Sunday recently revealed that Mel, 44, has been dating heairdresser Rory McPhee, 31.
They met through Mel’s cousin, actor Christian Cooke — and Mel’s pals are thrilled.
One said of Mel: “She hasn’t stopped smiling recently.”
A source said: “Mel and Rory have been friends for years. Sparks flew between them two years ago, but they have upped the ante by going public. At the wedding they looked so happy together.
“Mel isn’t looking for a serious relationship, and Rory is very easygoing, so they are keeping things very casual and chilled for now.
“As far as they are both concerned, they are happy and that’s all that matters.
“Mel can’t stop smiling when she’s around him.”