Good Morning Britain viewers switched off in droves on Tuesday, June 23, after accusing presenters Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh of bias during an interview with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The 62-year-old politician appeared to discuss Keir Starmer's resignation and the 10th anniversary of Brexit, but the tone of the conversation sparked widespread backlash on social media.
Viewers Accuse Presenters of Bias
Many took to X to express their frustration, with one user writing: '@gmb what a weak challenge to Nigel Farage on Brexit and aligning with the EU. It was so pathetic I have changed the channel.' Another raged: 'I'm switching off. So biased. Why not interview Labour politicians in the same way @edballs?'
A third viewer commented: 'Whatever anyone thinks of Farage, Balls and Ranvir need to be far more professional and try and hide their hatred. They both are so unprofessional. Both on the verge of exploding.'
Farage Defends 'Lads' Banter' Remark
During the interview, Farage was challenged about online remarks made by Reform's Makerfield candidate Robert Kenyon about TV star Carol Vorderman. In 2021, Kenyon responded to a social media post about Vorderman by another user who wrote: 'My God, I'd love to smell and lick your a******', saying: 'He's only saying what we're all thinking.'
Singh asked Farage: 'Can I ask you, what you've learned about women voters in the wake of Makerfield?' Farage defended the comments as 'lads' banter', saying: 'Our candidate, great bloke, plumber, rugby player, ex-army guy, drinker, one of the lads. And you know, if you go into pubs tonight for the football you would hear all sorts of banter that in the cold light of day would not look good, that did us harm.'
Balls Challenges Farage
Balls challenged Farage, stating: 'Most men do not say that kind of thing about women.' Farage responded: 'What was said by him was lads banter. I don't approve of it. I don't approve of it at all. All right, not at all in any way.'
One viewer commented: 'I'm no @Nigel_Farage fan, but that interview was an embarrassing and painful to watch from the awful @edballs & Ranvir. Absolutely shows up Balls to be out of his depth on this show, he should be working in the circus and Ranvir's disdain for Farage was overwhelming!'
Questions Over Ed Balls' Impartiality
Another viewer questioned Balls' suitability to conduct political interviews, noting his wife is a cabinet minister: 'How biased is GMB. @edballs is the husband of a cabinet minister how can he do political interviews? How are Ofcom letting GMB get away with this blatant bias?'
A sixth viewer admitted switching off, saying: '@GMB I've turned over... What a god awful interview with Nigel Farage. Ed & Ranvir are being hideous and snidey with him. It's underhand and a really uncomfortable watch.. it's like watching bullies. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea but seriously.. awful interview.'
