Gaffe prone Madeley f lirts up a storm with weathergirl before introducing MeToo item!
IT was meant as a light-hearted comment, but British TV host Richard Madeley’s remark about a weather girl’s outfit received a rather chilly reception from some of his viewers.
Madeley, 61, suggested in jest that Lucy Verasamy should ‘test’ the denim minidress she was wearing in the rain after she said she was worried it would shrink in the wet weather.
But while no one in the studio was offended, the father-oftwo received a dressing-down from members of the audience at home, who labelled him ‘sexist’ and ‘creepy’.
During ITV’s Good Morning Britain yesterday, Madeley and co-host Susanna Reid told Ms Verasamy: ‘We are loving the denim look, Lucy.’
The weather presenter, 37, agreed, responding: ‘It’s a bit Dolly Parton.’ She then added: ‘I’m a bit worried it’s going to shrink in the rain, which was not the greatest move for the weather today!’
Laughing, Ms Reid said: ‘Best not go outside at all today then Luce.’ Madeley, who is married to Judy Finnigan, joked: ‘I think you should pop outside at once and test it out!’ Laughing, Ms Verasamy replied: ‘Thanks for that Richard.’
The presenter, who is filling in for Piers Morgan on the breakfast show this week, then proceeded to introduce a segment on the #MeToo movement, concerning the harassment scandal in Hollywood.
And it didn’t take long for easily-offended viewers to take to social media to rain on Madeley’s parade. One wrote: ‘Wow @richardm56 just made a stupidly sexist remark to weather presenter and introduced #metoo item in the next breath. Unbelievable (and yet entirely believable).’
Another said: ‘Madeley nearly had his own #MeToo moment right there.’
Some viewers stuck up for Madeley, with one saying: ‘Ridiculous the offended brigade … No humour allowed any more.’