Channel 4 documentaries sponsor Honda has admitted that it has "concerns" about the broadcaster's advertising campaign for Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
The programme has faced controversy recently after members of the public and the London Gypsy and Traveller Unit complained about the "Bigger. Fatter. Gypsier" advertisements used to promote the programme.
The criticism intensified after 17-year-old blogger Pipopotamus, a member of the Romany community, wrote an open letter complaining about the programme.
Honda, which sponsors all of Channel 4's documentary programming, has now confirmed that it was unhappy about the advertising campaign and revealed that it had received around 35 complaints about its association with Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
"We have had concerned members of the public ringing us thinking we have some control over editorial content," Honda's Paul Ormond told The Guardian.
"We have responded by saying we have no control over content but we have made our concerns known to Channel 4 that we are unhappy that we are being linked to this through the tone of the advertising campaign."
Ormond confirmed that Honda had "informed Channel 4 of [its] unhappiness with this poster campaign" and said: "We are working with them very positively, we have had a long association with them. We felt it right and proper to tell them our concerns."
Channel 4, which recently defended the series, said that they have an "excellent relationship" with Honda and are in "regular contact" with them.
"We have had a small number of complaints about the poster campaign and are confident that all aspects of it fully comply with ASA guidelines," a spokesperson added. "We also are in regular contact with the Gypsy and Traveller communities featured in the programme and have had very positive feedback."
