Rob Ford took a break while for shopping for furniture to pose for photos.
Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford has achieved a new level of fame appearing in an ad for a well-known furniture store.
Ford appeared in an advertisement for Lastman’s Bad Boy, the business founded by former Toronto mayor Mel Lastman and run by his family. The ad appeared in the sport’s section of Wednesday’s Toronto Star.
Ford, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, is no longer mayor, but he is still a part of city politics as a councillor for Ward 2.
He was at the Mississauga Bad Boy location when he was spotted by store staff.
“Councillor Ford was shopping for some furniture, and the staff at Bad Boy asked if it would be ok if they took some photos while he was there,” Ford’s office spokesperson Dan Jacobs said. “He was happy to accommodate.”
Jacobs said the office was not aware of Ford receiving any financial compensation for the ad, because it wasn’t a planned photo shoot.
Bad Boy was contacted but was unavailable for a comment.
Mel Lastman, a colourful figure in city politics, opened his first store in 1955, roughly 20 years before he served as mayor of the amalgamated city of Toronto. He is also a former mayor of North York.
Two years ago at a grand opening for a furniture store in Brampton, the Toronto Sun reported that Lastman said, “I’m not a genius, obviously, but [Rob Ford] makes me look like one.”
The Twitterverse also had something to say about the ad. Michael Hollett (@m_hollett), president of NOW Magazine said. “The most embarrassing mayors in Toronto history come together to sell furniture.”
We know #robford is shameless, latest proof he’s appearing in #mellastman‘s bad boy ads with smug grin on a recliner. pic.twitter.com/j4xcXrcRhJ
— Michael Hollett (@m_hollett) April 8, 2015
The less we see of this has been disgrace to Toronto the better. Suppose it gets the furniture company some press, but perhaps they could raise the bar!