Nickelback film tackles hurt of 'Marmite' reputation

Despite massive popularity, Nickelback are also heavily vilified online

A new documentary about Canadian group Nickelback shows how they have been "hurt" by being labelled as the most hated band in rock, according to its producer.

Hate to Love: Nickelback was produced by broadcaster Ben Jones from Highcliffe in Dorset.

The film charts the highs and lows of the four-piece who have been vilified on the internet in recent years, despite their massive record sales.

Mr Jones blamed their reputation on "keyboard warriors" on social media.

Director Leigh Brooks (second from left) and Ben Jones (third from left) worked with the band on the film for six years

He claims to have been the first DJ to have played Nickelback on the radio in the UK, while working on Virgin Radio in the early noughties.

Having kept in touch with the band, they asked him to produce a video to support an album release in 2018.

Mr Jones said the film evolved as he wanted to tackle the "elephant in the room" of their reputation, despite the band's "phenomenal" record sales and position as the 11th best-selling band in music history.

"What happened with Nickelback was that their success became ubiquitous at a point in history where we all had these devices in our hands which allowed us to be keyboard warriors and and write things on the internet with utter anonymity."

"We talk about them as the Marmite of rock - some people like it, some people hate it - if you don't like it, don't listen.

"Despite all the success and adulation, actually a few years of being berated on the internet can leave you quite nervous and sore and it can hurt.

"It's a story about the fragility of men in their 40s... some of whom have had dangerous life-threatening issues, but they are better together as a band."