Richard Madeley faced off with RMT boss Mick Lynch on Good Morning Britain today, and had an absolute meltdown about it.
The GMB presenter has been accused of going ‘full Alan Partridge’ while speaking to the rail union boss about the upcoming strike action.
In the ‘toe-curlingly awful’ interview, Richard suffered a bout of verbal diarrhoea and appeared to be unable to stop interrupting Mick, who was trying his hardest to get a word in edgeways.
Ironically, the clash was about the fact that Mick wasn’t answering the question.
The RMT boss calmly shut down Richard mid-rant, asking him: “Richard, why don’t you just interview yourself?”
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During the squabble, GMB co-presenter Kate Garraway was seen desperately tried to restore some order.
Mick Lynch on GMB. Credit: GMBRichard Madeley on GMB. Credit: GMBThe pair continually ended up talking over each other.
The rail workers had been accused by Richard of ‘targeting people at Christmas’ and even of ‘sadism’ with the timing of rail strikes this month.
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In the clips, Mick says: “We’ve not targeted Christmas, it isn’t Christmas yet Richard.
“I don’t know when your Christmas starts but mine starts from Christmas Eve. So we are striking at this time because-“
He’s then interrupted by Richard again, who called him ‘disingenuous’ because ‘commercial Christmas’ starts earlier in December.
As the presenter continues to talk, Mick says: “Richard, you’re just talking to yourself at the minute. You’re ranting. Richard you’re ranting here.”
After an awkward pause, he then asks: “Right have you finished then?”
When Mick is asked: “Are you going to answer the question?” he responds: “Well if you give me a minute I will.”
“I won’t let you get away with nonsense!” Richard then bursts out. “Christmas does not start on Christmas Eve.”
Kate Garraway trying to stop the argument between Richard Madeley and Mick Shaw. Credit: GMB
An exasperated Mick says: “Richard, why don’t you just interview yourself?”
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He replies: “I’m holding you to account on behalf of the viewers. I’m not interested in the sound of my own voice, I’d like to hear yours answering the question.”
Mick says: “Well if you’d like to hear mine why don’t you just stop talking for a second?”
Richard then says it’s ‘his job’ to keep interrupting until an interviewee answers the question which is… a loose interpretation of his actual job role.
You can watch the full Richard Madeley vs Mick Lynch spat here:
The interview has been widely shared on Twitter today, with people praising the calm behaviour of Mick Lynch.
One person wrote: “Mick Lynch making Richard Madeley look like an absolute gobsh*te. Madeley wasn’t conducting an interview. He simply went on a rant, giving his own political opinions and attacking the @RMTunion and it’s members. GMB should get rid of this fool.”
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Another person said: “Richard Madeley makes himself look foolish here. He didn’t ‘grill’ Mick Lynch, he ranted at him. Prat.”
Someone else said: “Richard Madeley goes ultra Alan Partridge ranting about when Christmas starts. Toe curlingly awful. Well played Mick Lynch.”
And another commented: “Absolutely brilliant watching Richard Madeley having a full on Partridge style meltdown and having has arse to him by Mick Lynch on @GMB just now. Now sitting sulking like a mardarse. Wonder if Madeley will be as ridiculous to the boss of Network Rail… #GMB”
Featured image: GMB
TV & Showbiz
Beloved Greater Manchester-born presenter Judith Chalmers has died at 90
Danny Jones
Well-known Greater Manchester native and beloved British TV presenter Judith Chalmers has sadly died at 90 years old.
The former Wish You Were Here…? host was known not only for the once smash-hit travel programme, which ran for the best part of three decades, but she also enjoyed a spot on BBC Radio 2, along with the Strictly forerunner, Come Dancing, among many other guest appearances over the decades.
Judith Rosemary Locke Chalmers OBE, to use her full title, was born in Stockport back in 1935 and is said to have passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening, 21 May.
The tributes to the broadcasting legend are continuing to pour in online.
A familiar Northern face, Chalmers presented the primetime show from its inception in 1974 until 2003, and was made an OBE for her services to broadcasting in 1994.
The proud Gatley girl enjoyed a long and successful stint on screen before having to step away from her various duties in her later years due to declining health.
She leaves behind her husband, Neil Durden-Smith – himself a former sports commentator – along with two children, including Mark Durden-Smith, who has also gone on to a career in presenting
Unfortunately, Chalmers was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago, meaning she gradually withdrew from the public eye even further; those around her have done plenty of important fundraising for the cause ever since.
Stopfordians have also been honouring the local lass’ legacy and much-admired reputation.
I met legendary broadcaster Judith Chalmers, who has died aged 90, when as a boy I won a competition to be VIP guest at a celebrity cricket match played at @StockportCounty Judith, who hosted the event, was happy to be home as she was raised in Gatley #SCFC#StockportCountypic.twitter.com/58pcm39y3V
In a statement issued to ITV (once her long-time employers), her family said: “After living an extraordinary life that involved over 60 years in broadcasting and countless adventures all over the globe, Judy sadly passed away last night, surrounded by the family she loved so much after suffering with Alzheimer’s for some years.
“We will miss her greatly, but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest of memories.”
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and long-established fan base up and down the country at this difficult time.
Rest in peace.
Featured Images — Thames TV/ITV (archive images)
TV & Showbiz
A special UK exclusive screening of the new Star Wars movie is taking place here in Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all die-hard Star Wars fans across the galaxy (or at least here in Britain, anyway), a special screening of the franchise’s newest film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is coming exclusively to a Manchester cinema.
Even better still, it’s the only place in the UK that will be showing it. So damn cool.
The new spin-off set to land in theatres this month is the latest addition to the Star Wars cinematic universe and expands the hit Mandalorian TV series.
Most exciting regarding its domestic release here in the likes of Manchester, the VUE cinema in the Printworks is the only place putting on the IMAX version of the new movie.
Made specifically for IMAX, this is the first Star Wars film shot for and using fully IMAX-certified digital cameras and designed specifically for the experience.
The Mandalorian and Grogu – which is set to drop later this week – features 53 minutes presented in Printworks Manchester’s towering IMAX 1.43:1 aspect ratio.
Aimed to maximise screen size, deliver the most high-end visuals as possible, and further help with overall immersion, there really is nothing quite like it.
If you’ve ever seen a film in IMAX, you’ll know just how much extra enjoyment it brings.
With the Printworks branch selected as the UK’s exclusive destination for the film’s expanded 1.43:1 IMAX presentation, Greater Manchester are in for an absolute treat.
You can see the most recent trailer down below.
Let’s just say it’s received ‘mixed’ reviews, so far…
To celebrate launch day even further, VUE Printworks will also be hosting a limited one-off early morning screening at 6am, giving the most dedicated fans a chance to be among the first audiences in the country to see Din Djarin and Grogu make their big screen debut.
If anything, the seemingly divisive early reactions to the full feature film expansion of the ‘Mando’ lore have kind of made us want to watch it even more.
As always with these things, we’d encourage you to go along and make your own mind up, but we’ll be honest: our heavy Star Wars obsession will most likely make us biased to love this almost unconditionally. Tickets are live now right HERE.
Will you be going to see it?
Just over 2 hours, The Mandalorian and Grogu film hits streaming later this year. (Credit: The Manc)
Daisy Jackson -
13th December 2022 
