Good Morning Britain Star Sparks Controversy by Refusing to Wear Poppy, Viewers Outraged

On Good Morning Britain, host Charlotte Hawkins raised a topic that quickly sparked discussion among viewers: why journalist Kevin Maguire chose not to wear a poppy on the show. After the panel wrapped up discussing the latest headlines, Hawkins addressed the topic, explaining that many viewers had voiced their frustrations.

“Just before we go, Kevin, viewers have noticed that you’re not wearing a poppy,” Hawkins said. “I know this is something we’ve addressed in previous years, but would you like to explain your decision, why you don’t wear a poppy?”

Maguire, maintaining a lighthearted tone, joked, “We haven’t had Halloween yet!” before explaining his position further. He shared that while many in his family had served in the military, he preferred to wear the poppy only during the week of Remembrance Sunday. “If I wear a poppy, I always make a donation,” he said. “But I choose to wear it closer to Remembrance Sunday. It’s become so elongated now, and every year the ‘poppy police’ go around pointing fingers.”

Maguire continued by pointing out that, in most workplaces, many people are not yet wearing a poppy, which he believes is due to varying personal traditions and preferences. “It’s not because they’re disrespectful; they just have a different approach to when or if they wear one,” he added, told Daily Express.

Fellow panelist Andrew Pierce, however, took a different view. “I disagree. I think you should wear it as early as possible to promote it, to make people aware, and to pay tribute,” Pierce remarked. When Maguire joked that by that logic, one could wear poppies year-round, Pierce quipped back, “You can have poppy pajamas and a duvet if you want.”

The debate drew swift reactions from viewers on social media, with opinions divided. While some supported Hawkins’ question and Pierce’s stance, many felt that personal decisions about wearing the poppy should be respected without scrutiny.

One viewer commented on Twitter, “#gmb Why question if someone has a poppy on or not? It’s a personal choice.” Another agreed, tweeting, “You can’t be asking people why they don’t wear a poppy on live TV. I don’t like that at all #GMB.”

Others spoke out against the “poppy police” mentality, suggesting that people should feel free to choose if and when they wear the poppy without being judged. “It’s ridiculous that everyone on telly is guilt-tripped into wearing a poppy,” one Twitter user wrote. “It should be entirely up to the person if and when they choose to wear one, something the poppy police seem to take issue with #gmb.” Another added, “Why are we asking people why they aren’t wearing a poppy? People are so busy these days #GMB.”

The discussion highlighted a broader debate about the symbolism of the poppy and personal freedom, reminding viewers that while the poppy represents respect and remembrance, how and when people choose to display it is ultimately a personal decision.