Photo: Instagram
Claims that nineties band Menswear this week achieved platinum status of their 1995 album Nuisance has been revealed a joke.
It was widely reported that the record had this week been recognised for selling over 300,000 copies in the UK, but it now appears it was nothing more than a joke by one of the band's former members.
Chris Gentry of the band posted a photo of himself holding a platinum record on his Instagram account. It has now been revealed that Gentry bought the fake award on eBay.
Gossip website Holy Moly also claims that reports of the album's sales reached the band's frontman Johnny Dean - who is said to have immediately enquired into money he believed he had been cheated out of. Holy Moly reports that Dean made accusations of mismanagement after falling for the online hoax.
Nuisance - not a platinum seller after all :(
The band's former drummer and BBC 6 Music presenter Matt Everitt was somewhat dubious about the news, speaking to the NME about the non-existant award. "To be honest, the idea that 'Nuisance' had sold 300,000 copies worldwide seems rather suspect to me, but Twitter appears to be very keen on the idea, so who am I to argue?" He told the magazine.
"Although now I come to think of it, my annual royalty cheques (approximately £83) would suggest something is amiss here."
He also joked that the band would be releasing a Menswear boxset in time for Christmas.
Watch Menswear's No.10 hit 'Being Brave' below
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