EX STRICTLY Come Dancing star Brendan Cole has been slammed by fans after going on an anti-lockdown rant in a Mallorca bar.
The 44-year-old star also spoke out against coronavirus vaccines being mandatory – despite the jabs being our only route back to normality.
Brendan’s comments come as new data published by Public Health England shows the vaccination programme has so far prevented 6,100 deaths in those aged 70 and over.
The New Zealander posted to his Instagram page from Paseo del Borne in Mallorca, posing for a sun-drenched photo as he enjoyed a beer on an outdoor terrace.
He captioned the smiling snap: “Beautiful day in #Mallorca. Lovely to finally be able to support bars and restaurants devastated by ridiculous and unfair closers [sic].”
Brendan then went on to add a series of divisive hashtags, including: “NoToVaccinePassport”, “NoEnforcedVaccine”, “YourBodyYourChoice”, and “NurembergCode”.
Nuremberg Code references a set of research ethics principles for human experimentation, which was created as a result of the Nuremberg trials at the end of World War II.
Brendan’s followers were unimpressed by his stance, with one commenting: “You know they were closed for a reason, yeh???”
To which the star ranted in response: “You’ll have to tell that to the millions of people who have lost their businesses, gone bankrupt, or can’t feed their children because of the measures put in place.
“Those people who will be set back years after risking all and building their business over many years all for it to be taken away with no thought to the consequences.
“I’m not saying that the people affected by this virus don’t count, but there is a bigger picture that has not been taken into account and I’m afraid that I don’t agree with these measures.
“I take it that financially you haven’t been too affected, or lost your business? We all have different opinions on this subject. It’s important to listen to every voice as everyone has a story to tell.”
A second furious follower commented: “I’d rather be broke than dead!”
One more agreed: “Better than losing your life or that of a loved one.”
A fourth wrote: “Not ridiculous or unfair very, very necessary in the most bonkers of times.”
Another simply commented: “Unfollow.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier today: “Vaccines save lives. This work shows vaccines have already saved over 6,000 lives among the most vulnerable in our society.
“These results give us hope and remind us about the importance of getting the jab as soon as we are eligible.”
Covid vaccines, backed by The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign, work by training the body’s immune system to recognise and fight off the virus. After vaccination, if you get infected with coronavirus, the body is immediately ready to destroy the bug and stop you getting coronavirus.
Call To Arms - how MPs, celebs, and big businesses backed The Sun's Jabs Army
A HOST of celebs and politicians threw their weight behind Jabs Army as they praised kind-hearted Sun readers who signed up to the cause.
Their calls were led by Boris Johnson, who begged for volunteers to help ‘return the country to normal life’.
The PM wrote personally to our readers, saying: “The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is a brilliant example of the power of collective action.
“It has already inspired companies and workplaces up and down the country to join the call to arms.
“So today, I call on everyone who has the time to join the legions of volunteers already signed up and to boost volunteer numbers further still.”
Jeremy Clarkson urged Brits to get off the sofa and sign up to beat the lockdown blues.
He said: “Everyone is saying how bored they are. They’ve watched Netflix, gone through everything on the internet, read Google.
“Well let’s not be bored — let’s get off our bottoms and volunteer.”
His call was backed by a string of other celebs – including the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who hailed our campaign as “fantastic”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock saluted Jabs Army as he addressed the nation in a No10 press briefing.
He said: “Come and be a part of it. The Sun’s Jabs Army is marching and helping the nation.”
GMB host Piers Morgan branded the campaign “excellent”.
And celebrities like Bear Grylls, Gordon Ramsay and Bake Off’s Matt Lucas have also thrown their support behind the campaign.
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In the UK, three vaccines have been deemed safe for use; Pfizer, Oxford/AstraZeneca and the Moderna jab – all of which have been found to prevent severe disease.
So far more than 28 million Brits have had their first jab, while 2.5 million people have had their second dose.
Since the start of the vaccine roll out Covid cases, hospitalisations, and deaths have plummeted.
Brendan shot to fame as a professional dancer on Strictly in 2004, which he appeared on until 2017.
How to register for The Sun's Jabs Army campaign
TO register interest, visit nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/nextinline.
You will be contacted as soon as a suitable volunteer role becomes available in your area.
Other roles available may include Patient Transport, Community Response (shopping and medicine delivery), NHS Transport, Check in and Chat.
Register at: nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/nextinline