Tensions reached a high on the set of Good Morning Britain this Monday as Richard Madeley was involved in a fierce debate about shoplifting.
Richard Madeley earned the ire of ITV viewers after becoming engrossed in a debate around shoplifting for food banks as the cost of living leaves individuals in desperate need of food.
The discussion took place on Monday on the set of Good Morning Britain – which celebrated ten years on our screens – in reaction to members of the Everybody Eats campaign taking enough food to restock food bank sites without paying. While the action was for a good cause, it is also illegal as it is recognised as shoplifting.
Speaking up in favour of the Eats Everything movement, activist Luke was Richard and Susanna Reid’s guest, as he pointed out: “People are getting desperate and they need help.” But the presenter was sceptical about his use of the word “starving.”
Richard Madeley confronted a member of the Eats Everything campaign and was called out after questioning the desperation of some Brits amid a gruelling cost of living crisis(Image: ITV)
Richard said: “You’ve used the word starving, you’ve said that people are starving and you’re helping to prevent starvation – that’s a very strong word.” He then reminded Luke that the definition of the term involves a “risk of imminent death”, before asking: “It’s not that bad is it?”
Luke quickly doubled down but the 67 year old was still showing doubt. “Starving to death? There haven’t been any inquests for anyone’s who’s starved to death”, he insisted, demanding proof supporting his guest’s claims. It didn’t take long for ITV watchers to take to X, putting Richard on blast.
“Arghhhh Madeley asking for proof that people are starving to death. Insufferable wind bag. Madeley was a shoplifter and now sits there like some 2nd coming of Jesus”, one furious viewer penned on X. Another added in shock: “Richard Madeley really tripling down in denial that people are starving in the UK is something.”
A third chimed in: “So not shoplifter Richard Madeley getting on his high horse AGAIN about shoplifting?! What a plank he is. How is he even on Telly still?”
Comments have been flooding in ever since. “For once Madeley talking about an area of expertise. Shoplifting”, one TV fan quipped. Another added: “Madeley will never starve because he has a track record of not paying for goods.”
Richard has often slammed the prevalence of shoplifting on the high streets, causing a similar stir earlier this year while referring to a thief in his local Boots shop who swiped a handful of pregnancy tests without paying.
Much like this Monday, Good Morning Britain viewers had reminded that the now-famous presenter was once help for shoplifting charges before being acquitted.
The incident took place in 1994, with Richard failing to pay for items on two occasions at a Tesco supermarket in Walkden, Greater Manchester but a jury found him not guilty.
When addressing the ordeal years later, Richard had explained that he’d never intended to steal anything and claimed to have made an honest mistake. “I was just not concentrating. I put the food through the till, I forgot to take the champagne out… I can joke about it now”, he told The Sun in October, 2023.
