Susanna Reid couldn't help but laugh as Rob Beckett made an unexpected comment at the start of his interview on Good Morning Britain. The comedian appeared via video link to chat to the presenter and co-host Richard Madeley on Tuesday's show (June 7).
He was on the ITV news programme to promote his new book, A Class Act: Life as a working-class man in a middle-class world, but his appearance came shortly after the presenters were given the chance to grill MP Dominic Raab following the Prime Minister surviving a confidence vote on Monday (June 6).
As Susanna, 51, and Richard, 66, introduced Rob onto the show, who was live from his home in Kent, the comic and TV star remarked: "How do you put up with those politicians everyday? Oh my God, they do my head in. Absolute maggots. It’s absolute madness."
Susanna was initially stunned into laughter as Richard giggled along. But Rob then started mimicking what he believes is a hand movement replicated by many an MP, including the Deputy Prime Minister.
"The fat hand is the worst bit because they can’t point, pointing’s too aggressive, so it’s like he’s doing a pancake," Rob continued. "Oh shut up. Boring. Oh my god, sorry. I don't know how you cope," he added.
He then adopted a different voice as if to mimic Raab and imitated: "'Susanna if you let me finish'. What are you doing? What’s the little thumb point? No one does that." Back in the GMB studio, Susanna was in fits of giggles as Richard replied: "We couldn't possibly comment."
Susanna added of the hand gesture: "It is a new thing. I think it started with Tony Blair, that hand movement for emphasis. You’re right." Richard added: "The thing is obviously the government are in a real sticky wicket this morning. We understand that. We know what they've got to say.
"At least he actually on the whole answered the questions. By and large on this programme they don't. What you do is ask 'how much is fish in the market at the moment?' and they'll say 'there's some wonderful steak out there that I want to talk about'." He added: "They think the public can't see them doing it."
Rob then joked that the presenting pair managed to leave Raab "stressed" as he "whipped out the flat hand" and added: "The more stressed he got, the closer a point came out. If you ever get a point, you’ve got them, I think." They then managed to move on to talk about Rob and his current projects.
But then as the interview came to an end, Susanna asked: "Are you a political person, Rob?" Again changing his voice, Rob replied: "Well, Susanna, I’m going to stop you there, if you would just let me – I’m not not a political person."
And GMB viewers were soon flocking to Twitter to comment. @ellmoye tweeted: "Rob Beckett got like a 30 second interview but used his time wisely to say politicians are maggots #gmb." @kellsley said: "Rob Beckett what a legend #gmb @GMB," before adding: "Rob Beckett calling politicians maggots was the highlight of my morning #NotMovingOn."
@berockbopsteady wrote: "Rob Beckett for PM #GMB." @TheIntoxicatedJ added: "Rob Beckett taking the p**s out of @DominicRaab made my morning #GMB."
