Kylie Minogue’s Tourism Australia advert has been scrapped from UK screens as heartbreaking bushfires continue to burn across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
The fires have been raging out of control for weeks and weeks now, with the flames already taking the lives of 23 people and half a billion animals.
Celebrities have pulled together to raise awareness and donations to support Australia throughout the devastating ordeal, with Kylie herself donating $500,000 (AUD) – around £263,470 – to fire services.
The Australian native, who hails from Melbourne, was the star of a new ad hoping to persuade Brits to head down under, but Tourism Australia have since made the decision to pull the advert off air as the bushfire crisis worsens.
The advertising campaign reportedly cost a huge $15milllion (AUD) and featured Kylie heading to iconic Australian landmarks and even reprising the role of her old Neighbours character Charlene. It first premiered in the UK on Christmas Day.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, a spokesperson for Tourism Australia explained: ‘The number one priority right now continues to be the emergency response to these devastating bushfires and the safety of communities and tourists in affected areas.
‘In light of the current situation in Australia, we have reduced some of our campaign activity in the UK.’
Kylie, meanwhile, shared her heartache over the fires on Instagram by posting a picture of her stood in a field with the smoke visible around her.
She added links to donation pages and wrote: ‘Last year I had the incredible opportunity of visiting some of the many beautiful places in my homeland for the first time.
‘Returning home to such devastation throughout much of the country is heartbreaking. As a family, we’ve donated $500,000 towards the immediate firefighting efforts and the ongoing support which will be required.
‘Big or small, from near or far, any support will help those affected by the devastating bushfires. With love, The Minogue Family.’
Wanting to help just like Kylie, Nicole Kidman, who grew up in Sydney and her husband Keith Urban also donated $500,000 to Australia’s rural fire service, while Pink donated the same generous sum after being left heartbroken by the impact of the fires so far.
It’s been reported that over 20,000 square miles – equivalent to a third of the size of England – across Australia has been burnt and more than 1500 homes have been destroyed across Victoria and New South Wales, while 100 fires are still burning out of control.
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