A St Albans-based fitness trainer was closed down by Facebook during a live stream for over-70s, as rolling up his trouser leg was deemed as going against “standards on nudity and sexual activity” by the social media platform.

Herts Advertiser: John Molyneux has been sharing his workouts for his elderly clients via Facebook Live since the coronavirus lockdown started. Picture: MolyfitJohn Molyneux has been sharing his workouts for his elderly clients via Facebook Live since the coronavirus lockdown started. Picture: Molyfit (Image: Archant)

John Molyneux, who runs the Molyfit training programme, has been delivering Facebook Live sessions to his clients – who are mostly over 70 – since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

Dozens of clients were sadly denied their daily exercise with John when he was taken offline during a stretching routine.

After Wednesday’s session, which included oiling leg muscles ahead of the stretching, Facebook decided the exercise ‘went against community standards on nudity and sexual activity.’

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” said John who focuses his business on the elderly.

Herts Advertiser: Facebook removed Molyfit instructor John after he rolled his trouser leg up on a Facebook Live with his clients. Picture: John MolyneuxFacebook removed Molyfit instructor John after he rolled his trouser leg up on a Facebook Live with his clients. Picture: John Molyneux (Image: Archant)

“I really couldn’t believe it. My clients like to see exactly how to do things and all I did was roll up my trouser leg! And amazingly Facebook closed me down.”

John feared he’d be banned from helping his clients who rely on his expertise to keep them physically and mentally active during the lockdown.

Facebook later acknowledged their ‘unfortunate’ mistake.