Piers Morgan called Gary Lineker “Grandpa” as he entered into yet another slanging match with his Twitter rival over the Oscars ratings.
After TV presenter Piers suggested that the reason for the ceremony’s low TV ratings was due to the “woke brigade”, football pundit Gary couldn’t resist offering his own opinion.
The former footballer said he believes it’s due to the lack of people watching films in the cinema since the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting Piers to start calling names.
The Academy Awards were incredibly pared down this year, taking place in the bar of a train station and featuring only the nominees and a couple of special guests to adhere to social distancing.
When presenters came on-stage to present the awards – they promptly left again and didn’t rejoin the audience, and the usual entertainment and food and drink on offer were nowhere to be seen.
Former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers, 56, took to his Twitter page to break down this year’s ratings.
“BREAKING: Oscars ratings crash to an all-time low, down a staggering 58 per cent on last year’s Awards (which was also an all-time low.),” he said.
“As I feared, the woke brigade may have now destroyed the biggest, glitziest event in showbusiness.”
“Or perhaps nobody went to a cinema in the last 12 months?” 60-year-old Gary, who regularly spars with Piers, replied.
Never one to back down, the Daily Mail columnist then fired back: “Hi Grandpa, are you aware you can watch movies on streaming services?”
“Well I’ve heard of @netflix @Apple @PrimeVideo etc., but it’s not the same as going to the movies. Sure to have affected interest in the Oscars,” Gary then noted, refusing to take the bait.
The two TV heavy-weights have regularly engaged in heated debates publicly, and are notorious for hurling insults at each other.
It all started with Piers supporting Arsenal and teasing Gary about his own losses while playing for Tottenham.
As the pair’s spats continued over the years Gary once even joked he’d “beat” the journalist “in a fight”, but it gradually turned into a bit of a bromance, and the pundit even shared a message of support for Piers after he stepped down from GMB.
As usual, fans weighed in on the latest Twitter debate, with one hitting back at Piers: “Hi Grandpa, maybe you didn’t realise people usually watch Oscar Highlights on YouTube??”
“Not everyone can afford them due to loss of income, loss of homes, and there are still areas that don’t get internet, like those living in mountain areas. Virginia has a big problem with this,” another person wrote.
A third tried to explain: “People haven’t been to cinemas so there’s not the interest or engagement. Not everyone can afford the streaming services Piers. Just cos you are #privileged to have access doesn’t mean everyone does… #Oscars2021.”
While a fourth blasted: “Or perhaps it’s because people haven’t been able to get to cinemas Piers so they haven’t SEEN the films. And not everyone can afford the streaming services…”
One of the former GMB host’s followers agreed with his views, posting: “Piers is right again! We’re all sick and tired of the Hollywood hypocrites celebrating themselves all the time.”
“One thing the pandemic has done? Put things in perspective and made people realise what their really bothered about? I’ve unfollowed so many celebs in the pandemic they just started getting annoying?” another shared.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
