Good Morning Britain viewers found themselves distracted today while Richard Madeley tried a challenge that is supposed to show if you'll die in the next seven years. The presenter was back at the helm of the ITV news programme on Wednesday (June 22) alongside Ranvir Singh.
During the show, the pair were joined by Doctor Hilary Jones live in the studio to discuss some of the latest health headlines. One of those ended up being the 'flamingo test'.
Researchers have suggested that the ‘flamingo test’ is incorporated into mid-life health checks as a simple way to gauge longevity. A study found that people over 50 who are unable to stand on one leg for 10 seconds are at double the risk of dying in the next decade.
The global study team, including experts from Bristol Medical School, tracked 1,702 participants, aged 51 to 75, from Brazil between 2009 and 2020. They were asked to place the front of the lifted foot on the back of the opposite lower leg, keeping their arms by their sides and their gaze fixed straight ahead.
Dr Hilary explained on GMB: "Researchers have found that if you can pass this test, your risk of dying in the next seven years is much lower." He added: "If you can't pass this test, it's 84 per cent higher of death in the next seven years."
And it wasn't long before Richard, 66, tried out the test for himself live on the show. While he initially passed the test, he later struggled to stand up when he was challenged with doing the test with his eyes closed.
But in his defence researchers, in order to standardise the assessment, asked those in the study to take off their shoes and socks and place the front of the free foot on the back of the opposite lower leg, while keeping their arms by their sides and their gaze fixed straight ahead. They were also allowed three attempts.
Following the slightly more light-hearted topic, Ranvir moved the conversation on to discuss the rising number of Covid cases as Dr Hilary mentioned that people are "living like there's no tomorrow". Dr Hilary had said: "Coronavirus-wise, 1 in 50 people have Covid now. It's a variant of Omicron. What's worrying is a fifth of people aged over 75 haven't had their second jab.
"They're the ones at risk. Hospitalisations are on the rise with breathing difficulties, so some precaution is wise. Immunity is waning, of course, with time." But GMB viewers weren't happy with Dr Hilary's appearance on the show.
One tweeted: "Here we go, Dr Doom is in the building. #GMB." Another said: "[Dr Hilary] is on now to cheer everyone up in these desperate times," while a third joked: "From standing like a flamingo to covid news. Hilary's back. #GMB."
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