Aimee Walker
People have been left freaked out after learning the disturbing reason McDonald’s got rid of Ronald McDonald.
The fast food chain first introduced the mascot clown back in 1963 and over the years, he became loved by all.
During his reign, Ronald was even known as the world’s ‘newest, silliest, hamburger-eating-est clown’.
He would often be seen with his friends, including Mayor McCheese, Hamburglar and The Fry Kids.
However, this all came to an end in 2016 when the company decided to give Ronald the scrap.
And now, it’s been revealed why…
Although there is one major reason Ronald quickly faded from the public eye (more on that later), many people had been campaigning for McDonald’s to drop the mascot before this.
Some critics argued that he was encouraging children to eat unhealthy foods.
A group of 550 doctors also placed newspaper advertisements asking for him to retire in 2011, reports The Sun.
It read: “We ask that you stop marketing junk food to children.
“The rates of sick children are staggering. Ballooning healthcare costs and an overburdened healthcare system make treatment more difficult than ever.
“And we know that reducing junk food marketing can significantly improve the health of kids.”
Although Ronald is no longer the face of McDonald’s anymore, he’s still the face of the Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.
The charity’s mission is to keep families close together while also providing a ‘home away from home’ for the families of seriously ill children in hospital.
Around the time, a disturbing craze was taking place all over the US, with it eventually taking off in the UK.
People were beginning to dress as spooky clowns while donning weapons.
This led to terror spreading, with police describing it as ‘no laughing matter’.
As the trend circulated on social media, McDonald’s released a statement, announcing the end of Ronald’s reign.
It said that due to the ‘current climate around clown sightings in communities’, the chain would be even more ‘thoughtful in respect to Ronald McDonald’s participation in community events’.
Since the clown craze, the red-haired figure has barely been spotted.
A statement by McDonald’s reads: “We’re afraid that Ronald McDonald no longer appears in McDonald’s UK advertising, but he is still very busy working for us.
“He often travels up and down the country to help promote some of our exciting new activities and visits our restaurants to make sure everyone is enjoying their meals.”
After discovering the reason Ronald was scrapped, many people have taken to social media and reacted.
One person remarks: “Still crazy how McDonald’s silently removed Ronald McDonald from their franchise after the 2016 clown craze.”
While someone else comments: “I miss when clowns just made you smile and now they’re just scary.”
Related Article: McDonald’s New Strawless Lid Sparks Outrage From Customers
Related Article: McDonald’s Fan Explains How He Gets Chicken For Just 9p
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
