David and Stephen Flynn explained

David and Stephen Flynn (born 12 December 1979),[1] also known as The Happy Pear Twins, are Irish business people, chefs and media personalities.[2] [3]

Background

The twins were born in Calgary, Canada. Their parents, Ismay and Donal Flynn, are Irish. The family returned to Ireland when the twins were two years old. They have two younger brothers, Mark and Darragh.[4]

Careers

In 2004, they opened the Happy Pear Café and Natural Food Shop in Greystones, County Wicklow.[4] [5] At its peak, the business employed 200 people in 4 locations. By 2021 this decreased to 72 people, closing several locations .[6]

They won the 2016 Avonmore Cookbook of the Year Award at the Irish Book Awards.[7] The twins won the 2021 celebrity edition of Ireland's Fittest Family.[8]

They have a large online social media presence, including more than 600,000 Instagram followers.[5] Their celebrity connections include the controversial comedian Russell Brand, whom they describe as "a great guy" and a friend.[9] [10] [11]

Medical misinformation

The Flynns have received international criticism for making unfounded medical claims. In an April 2022 video, they made incorrect claims about breast cancer rates and falsely stated that certain foods could prevent cancer. Their statements were widely condemned, including by cancer surgeon Liz O'Riordan and cancer scientist David Robert Grimes who described the video as "irresponsible".[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] The twins later admitted they had "made a mistake" and were "ignorant" before deleting the video.[17] Their apology video received negative reactions, described as "appalling", "insincere", and a "non-apology".[18] They also appeared on Ray D'Arcy's national radio show to apologise and promised to stop offering medical advice.[18]

In April 2023 they issued an apology for an episode of their podcast which they admitted misled and misinformed listeners. In the show, their guest Dr. Zach Bush made incorrect claims about the effects of antibiotics on mental health.[19] [20] Bush has been described as a pseudoscientist, a Covid denier, and a denier of germ theory.[21] The podcast claims were widely refuted, including by medical consultant, Dr. Niamh Lynch.[20] In January 2024, David refused to comment on whether he had received a Covid vaccine.[11]

Personal lives

Stephen is married to Justyna, a child psychologist from Poland. They have three children. David has two children with his ex-wife, Janet. David remarried in 2022 to Sabrina Vande Cotte from Belgium. They have one child.[22] [11]

The Flynns have been compared to fellow celebrity Irish twins Jedward and as a result have been nicknamed "Hummus Jedward" and "Vegward".[4] [5] They are friends with Australian actor Sam Corlett.[23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Happy Pear twins share adorable childhood throwback as they celebrate birthday. Megan. Roantree. December 12, 2017. VIP Magazine.
  2. Web site: ‘We stepped outside our lane’ – Happy Pear twins on social media video about breast cancer risk. June 8, 2022. Independent.ie.
  3. News: Vegan Bros: Busting the Myth That Real Men Eat Meat . The Guardian . March 5, 2022 . August 2, 2024.
  4. Web site: We talk to the Flynn bothers about their successful café. independent.
  5. Web site: Happy Pear Brothers Slammed Over €850 Wellness Staycation. April 14, 2023.
  6. Web site: ‘Laying people off is the hardest’ – The Happy Pear on business struggles, big egos and going back to basics. independent.
  7. Web site: Ireland’s favourite books for 2016 have been announced. Gráinne Ní. Aodha. November 17, 2016. TheJournal.ie.
  8. Web site: Celebrity Fittest Family review: Happy Pears come up smiling and win it for Donncha. Caroline. Delaney. December 28, 2021. Irish Examiner.
  9. Web site: 'We're honoured Russell Brand visited us - maybe next time he'll come for a swim' - Happy Pear duo. August 1, 2018. Independent.ie.
  10. Web site: The Happy Pear: 'We know we're not everyone's cup of tea'. Newstalk.
  11. Web site: ‘I was up at 5.30 this morning. We did press-ups, stretching and yoga’ – At home with the Happy Pear’s David Flynn and wife Sabrina. January 14, 2024. www.independent.ie.
  12. Web site: I'm a cancer surgeon and survivor and The Happy Pear were wrong about mushrooms. Ciara. McDonnell. April 27, 2022. Irish Examiner.
  13. Web site: Happy Pear apologise for 'factually wrong' breast cancer video. Lovin.ie.
  14. Web site: The Happy Pear admit recent breast cancer video was 'ignorant'. Brian. Dillon. June 9, 2022. DublinLive.
  15. Web site: The Happy Pear twins issue apology following 'irresponsible' video on breast cancer. FM104.
  16. Web site: Happy Pear apologise for video claiming vegan diet may reduce breast cancer risk. Sophie. Collins. April 25, 2022. Irish Mirror.
  17. Web site: ‘We stepped outside our lane’ – Happy Pear twins on social media video about breast cancer risk. independent.
  18. Web site: 'We're not doctors. We're not dietitians': Happy Pear apologise again for breast cancer video. Nicole. Glennon. June 8, 2022. Irish Examiner.
  19. Web site: The Happy Pear - Plant Based and Vegan Lifestyle Online Courses. May 25, 2021. The Happy Pear - Plant Based and Vegan Lifestyle Online Courses.
  20. Web site: ‘This won’t happen again’ – Happy Pear twins apologise after controversial comments by podcast guest. independent.
  21. Web site: The Droning Preacher of Mitochondrial Ecstasy. Office for Science and Society.
  22. Web site: The Happy Pear Dave's wife Sabrina lifts the lid on their stunning wedding. Sarah. Magliocco. January 15, 2022. RSVP Live.
  23. Web site: Sam Corlett on Netflix series Vikings Valhalla, and hanging out with the Happy Pear twins. Esther N.. McCarthy. February 23, 2022. Irish Examiner.

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