 A previously unknown Melanie Sykes launched her career as a television presenter following her appearances in the adverts from 1996 until 1999 . Animated television advertisements starring the transgender playboy cow Graham Heffer ran from 1999 until 2002 . The adverts attracted complaints from the public for allegedly promoting bestiality , homosexuality and drug @-@ taking . Boddingtons become an official partner of the 2002 XVII Commonwealth Games held in Manchester in a deal worth at least £ 1 million . To mark the occasion , a special Boddingtons 5 % ABV Commonwealth Ale cask ale was produced for the North West of England , and subsequently launched nationwide . The last Boddingtons television advertising campaign in 2005 was criticised for capitalising on the beer 's Manchester heritage with a Happy Mondays soundtrack , even though production had moved out of the city . Mike Thompson , a former worker at the brewery and representative of the Transport & General Workers ' Union , said : 
