Richard Madeley is at it again. Following a week of controversial (and Alan Partridge-esque) comments on Good Morning Britain, the newly-crowned king of cringe on daytime TV asked Labour leader, Keir Starmer, if is deputy Angela Rayner was still his 'best girl.'
Madeley was referring to rumours that Starmer was sidelining Rayner, following her comments about 'Tory scum' at the Labour party conference. Querying whether this was true, Madeley asked 'so is she still your best girl?' Starmer managed to keep a straight face and respond to the question at hand, but the real question is, why can't Richard Madeley keep his casual (and not-so-casual) sexism on check live on air?
Last week Madeley was slammed for patronising a guest on Good Morning Britain. The 65-year-old presenter and co-host Susanna Reid hosted a tense discussion, questioning the suitability of Netflix's Squid Game for children.
Parenting expert Jade Evans was rudely interrupted and shut down by Madeley, by repeatedly calling her 'darling'. ‘Hang on, hang on,’ Richard interrupted. ‘Darling, let me finish the question.’
Viewers took to Twitter calling Madeley 'sexist', 'patronising' and 'condescending'.
Evans was visibly taken back by Madeley's remark, unlike co-host Reid who didn't react, something viewers also picked up on.
This year he's also faced backlash for comments made on Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, effortlessly filling Piers Morgan's shoes.
Madeley was recently called out for his comments on Kate's'tiny, tiny waist' after she appeared at the Earthshot Awards, an event celebrating those trying to make a positive change for the environment. Viewers were upset with the remarks that sounded as though he was body shaming the Duchess.
Last month Madeley took a stab at Meghan Markle, commenting on her commitment to climate change while travelling in a private jet with husband Prince Harry. He blasted the couple for not leading by example saying, 'I think it’s when people are in a position to lecture us go and do something different.'
In previous years, we could count on Madeley's wife and lifelong TV partner Judy, to roll her eyes and act as a buffer for some of his more controversial comments. While we could relate to Judy's frustration with him, we might have relied on her a little too much.
Reid shouldn't be expected to cushion Madeley's behaviour, and we shouldn't be looking to her to challenge it either. It's high time Madeley was held accountable for his own actions, without help from his female co-host.