Viewers Criticize Good Morning Britain Hosts for Light-Hearted Olympics Joke Amid UK Unrest
Good Morning Britain presenters Kate Garraway and Ed Balls faced criticism from viewers urging them to focus on “real issues” after a light-hearted joke about the Olympics.
Just a day after Kate Garraway was forced to apologize following a heated debate with MP Zarah Sultana, viewers took to social media again to complain about the hosts. On Tuesday, the duo returned to ITV with a brief diversion away from the ongoing riots that erupted this weekend across the UK, told Daily Express.
After discussing Team GB athletes currently competing at the Paris Olympic Games, Ed Balls asked his co-host, “What Olympic sport are you going to enter next time? Now that we know from Nick that the over-50s are in.”
An astonished Kate responded, “Over 50s are in? That’s so exciting,” before addressing viewers and laughing, “I’ll tell you what, let me know what you think I could do.”
Turning to Ed, she asked, “Is there an Olympic sport for sitting on the sofa and drinking a cup of tea? Because I’d definitely get gold in that.” The former politician added, “Given the sports that get in the Olympics these days, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
However, this conversation failed to impress some viewers, who took to social media outraged about the shift in focus from the unrest, which has seen shops targeted and police attacked. On X, a fuming @darryll89 wrote, “The country is falling apart, and you’re giggling over the Olympics.” @naziarehman0876 stated, “This is disgusting!! After her abysmal performance!”
An angered @hol40900 complained, “Are you kidding me, @GMB? While the country is burning and people are living in fear, you’re asking about @kategarraway’s Olympic sport? Get your priorities straight! Focus on the real issues, not fluff pieces.”
A fourth viewer raged, “Not reporting the news of what’s going on in Birmingham could win a gold in that one.” Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6 am on ITV1, and viewers are clearly calling for a shift back to more serious topics amidst the ongoing crises in the UK.