Redbubble mocked for selling 'tacky' Captain Tom merchandise - including a mini skirt

One social media user called the products 'shameless'

Natasha Preskey
Tuesday 09 February 2021 16:37 GMT
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(AFP via Getty Images)

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Images of bizarre merchandise featuring the face of Captain Tom Moore have gone viral.

The products - including a mini skirt printed with a photo of the centenarian's face - are for sale on Redbubble, an online retailer which allows independent artists and designers to upload their work and have it printed onto products on demand.

Other products on sale include a £104.32 duvet set - designed and sold by nacer1982 - and t-shirts featuring Captain Tom dressed in a tuxedo with a Union Jack flag draped over his shoulder.

The T-shirts, designed and sold by bradleycann, bear the words: "Rest in peace Captain Tom Moore 1920-2021."  

The mini skirt, in particular, has attracted attention on social media, with many expressing shock at the bizarre product (which is priced at £28.87).

Images on Redbubble show a model wearing a bodycon skirt, designed and sold by AndythephotoDr, which features a slightly distorted image of the war hero's face.

The pricey Captain Tom duvet set features a print of Captain Tom walking using his frame, a rainbow above his head and the words "Tom Moore 1920-2021" written underneath.

One Twitter user said: "The commodification of a man not dead for three days is a moral indictment on the state of our nation. Captain Tom skirts, masks, bedsheets, flags - all sold at profit - is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen."

Another wrote: "What on earth is this? A Captain Tom mini skirt!!! Why??"

A third posted: "There is all sorts of tacky Captain Tom merchandise on there - it’s shameless cashing in.''

A Captain Tom miniskirt raised eyebrows
A Captain Tom miniskirt raised eyebrows (Redbubble )

When contacted by The Independent, Redbubble said: "Redbubble is a global marketplace where more than a million independent artists upload and sell their designs printed on 120+ consumer products. 

"Redbubble is working to exclude the designs in question from products that are not appropriate, and we thank the community for sharing their feedback with us."

Captain Tom Moore died with coronavirus on Tuesday 2 February, aged 100. The centenarian was knighted by the Queen in July last year, after he raised more than £32m for NHS charities by walking over 100 laps of his garden.

Fans can snuggle under a Captain Tom duvet set
Fans can snuggle under a Captain Tom duvet set (Redbubble )

Captain Tom was admitted to Bedford hospital on 31 January, a week after he tested positive for Covid-19, following treatment for pneumonia.

His daughters, Hannah and Lucy, said in a statement that, “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.

RIP Captain Tom tee-shirts are selling on Redbubble
RIP Captain Tom tee-shirts are selling on Redbubble (Redbubble )

"We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime. We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.

"The last year of our father's life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he'd only ever dreamed of."

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