Ben Shephard and Ranvir Singh clashed with Lord Grade on today’s Good Morning Britain as they talked about the government’s “boycott” of the show.
Lord Grade was on the ITV show today via video link to discuss the dangers of online gambling and the latest news on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
However, things soon turned frosty after talk turned to the government’s reported “boycott” of the show, as GMB have claimed they have repeatedly refused to be interviewed.
Ben and Ranvir quizzed Grade, who worked as executive chairman of ITV between 2007 and 2009, about whether he thought the government had a “duty” to appear on the show.
The interview with Lord Grade became heated as he clashed with the hosts (Image: ITV)
He disagreed with them, saying: “The government makes its choices, the broader question is: is the government doing everything it can to communicate with the British public in whichever means it chooses to do that?
“If it chooses not to appear on your programme, I’m sorry for you -“
Ben quickly interrupted his guest and said: “It’s not us that you need to feel sorry for, it’s out viewers…”
However Lord Grade continued to disagree, stating: “Your viewers, I’m delighted to hear the high numbers, I wish the numbers were as high as that when I was at ITV [laughs].
GMB were grilling Lord Grade about the government’s said ‘boycott’ of the show (Image: ITV)
“Your viewers have access not just to – you’re not the only source of information and news to those viewers.”
He also branded it “arrogant” for GMB to expect a government minister to appear on the show no matter what the circumstances.
Viewers flooded Twitter, divided over Lord Grade’s response to the government “boycott”.
One said: “Lord Grade just said what the majority of the country think. @piersmorgan arrogance is the reason why no government ministers are coming on GMB. Standby for Piers to start insulting him…”
Grade branded GMB’s views that the government had a ‘duty’ to come on the show ‘arrogant’ (Image: ITV)
While another wrote: “A hilarious interview where @ranvir01 @benshephard tried to get Lord Grade to criticise the government for their boycott of @gmb and he just wasn’t biting.”
Others disagreed with the Lord’s points, with one saying: “Extraordinary to see people delighting in Lord Grade’s defence of Government ministers refusing to appear on GMB. People genuinely find it hilarious that our Government refuses to be held to account.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
