A lot of people in the six counties choose not to wear a poppy. My father was in the RAF in the war (we're Irish) and would never wear a poppy. He would not have seen it as disrespectful not to wear one.

Ireland was neutral in the war, some people may have supported the Nazis but so too did people in England. Some people choose to wear the poppy as a mark of respect for all those who die in war - doesn't matter whether they are English, Irish, German or Italian, or any other nationality. They are all, usually, young people who died, and that's sad.

I wear a purple poppy, which marks all the animals killed in war. I will never wear a red poppy.

This says all I would want to say.

The founders of the Daily Mail, for example.

I hadn't heard of the purple poppy. Must look them up

Love you

I'm pro choice but personally I think that it looks a bit silly to have the dancers wear poppies attached to their costumes when dancing. As someone pointed out earlier in this thread the wearing of poppies used to be only observed when dressed in outdoor clothing, and not indoors unless the occasion fits, and certainly not when prancing around on an entertainment show.

Remembering the war dead by doing an Argentinian Tango on a Saturday night TV show seems a bit I dunno, weird to me. Not that I'm singling out Kevin and Louise, the same would apply yo all the dances. But that's just me...their choice and all that (if it is their choice)

And several members of the Royal Family and aristocracy.

We got our purple poppies from Animal Aid. I have a felt one and a little enamelled one.

As he now lives in the UK I think it's of the greatest credit to Giovanni that he wears a poppy for remembrance
I'm afraid I fail to see the point of starting this thread?

I finding it interesting that no one has mentioned the fact that Ore did not wear a poppy for his performance - but was seen wearing one in the VT. Probably due to the risk of injuring Joanne during the lifts.

Thank you!

Looks like they've moved to a purple paw print now to escape the poppy narrative (animals as 'valiant servants') and to support animals all year round.

https://www.animalaidshop.org.uk/acc...e-purple-poppy

I'll find something there to support animal aid for sure

I agree with you...thought it was respectful....as for starting the thread I do not see the point as well.

But Italy was actually fascist so you'd think they'd sympathise with him.

It is a bit odd and inappropriate to make even international guests wear them. But it shows how little meaning there is left i wearing it.

I think the thread has raised some interesting points, some genuine questions about this multicultural country, and there's been very polite discussions about what the poppy means and how it's viewed by the Establishment ( in this case, the BBC). For those reasons alone, I think it's been worthwhile.

Purple poppy is the one i choose to wear.

I 'don't see the point' of a lot of threads on DS but to be fair that's probably because thier subject doesn't interest me.

I've always found the poppy wearing on TV and Strictly in particular a little bit OTT and even though it's strayed from Giovanni I think that it's a valid point by the OP and this has turned into an interesting debate.

Bruno wears one every year too, interesting the OP didn't mention him.

Ive got a purple paw print - is that the same?

FANTASTIC POST!!!

Vale Wildlife Hospital are selling enamel ones on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Purple-Pop...-/281926201797

It is, Aggs, that's the new version that can be worn all year round.

Right, I'll have one of those as well.

I have only just found out about purple poppies through friends who run a wildlife hospital, what a great idea I'll be purchasing one. Animals have no choice about going to war unlike people nowadays who choose to join the armed forces. My dad and two uncles had virtually no choice either, they were conscripted during World War 2. They were all pacifists until the day they died because of their horrific experiences and would never wear a poppy.

Indeed - or he might have worn it in remembrance of the estimated 50,000 or so members of the Italian resistance who died during WW2. You just never know, do you?

He has a choice just as I have a choice not to respect him for it.

Totally agree. People shouldn't be judged on the poppy display or the lack of it. Different people contribute and remember, in different ways.

Where did I write that it should be 'enforced', I just said I had no respect for him.