Rainn Wilson sparks backlash over ‘unkind’ post about adult diapers as fans say he should have kept it private

Rainn Wilson has sparked major backlash online over an 'unkind' post about adult diapers - or nappies if you're in the UK.

The 59-year-old American actor, who rose to fame on The Office playing oddball Dwight Schrute from 2005 to 2013, took to Instagram over the weekend on Sunday (27 April) to share the post with his 3.7 million followers.

Wilson uploaded a snap of a box of adult diapers from the brand Depend featuring a man wearing them along with the caption: "Craig, good news! We got you a modelling gig! It’s for a big 'dependable' company too!

"And, more good news, they are going to let you keep your little moustache and beard! Also, big plus, you will not need to lose any weight for this gig. The only bad news is that if your friends and family ever see this particular photograph, they will never ever stop mocking you until the end of time."

The post has since been called out by critics in the comments, with one Instagram user slamming: "Disabled male adults have needs, sometimes this is one of them. Maybe don’t mock a product needed by many people to live with dignity."

A second penned: "Well maybe this picture will help a young man that is disabled be able to buy and wear these without feeling shame. There’s a lot of medical conditions that happen at all ages, and these are needed.

"I don’t find anything funny about this. This guy could be making someone less ashamed to buy. (Which there is no shame in needing them)."

And a third chimed in: "I do think it’s cool they got a young person to model!! This is a valuable product we need to destigmatise."

"I call them disposable briefs!!! Let’s not make them even more stigmatised. Great product. This post was not super kind btw!" echoed a fourth, while a fifth hit out: "Uh??? This ain’t it Rainn."

A sixth wrote: "I’m confused, are we making fun of adult diapers? I had to wear one to sleep for many years due to my endometriosis."

"This seems like the type of joke you send to your spicy private group chat and not post on your very popular Instagram account," quipped another.

And a final dismayed Instagram user added: "Oh wow. Was not expecting this. Punching down ain’t it."

Tyla has reached out to Rainn Wilson's representatives for comment.