*Warning: strong language*
WHEN Andrew Neil launched GB News, he promised to broadcast “a huge range of voices that reflect the views and values of our United Kingdom”.
Predictably, that means giving airtime to the likes of Nigel Farage, Alan Sugar and Neil Oliver.
But in fairness to the GB News team, they’ve been willing to shine the spotlight on the kind of people that never get a look in on mainstream media outlets.
Namely, people that don’t actually exist.
The first rogue contributor struck during a discussion between former BBC newsreader Simon McCoy and his co-host, former Brexit Party MEP Alex Philips.
They were debating issues around children’s diets when Philips read out a message from “Mike Oxlong”, who concurred with her views.
All going splendidly at Andrew Neil’s joke far-right TV station. Following on from Michelle Dewberry falling for the classic “Mike Hunt” prank call, here’s former Brexit Party MEP Alexandra Phillips live on air, reading out a message from one Mike Oxlong. pic.twitter.com/UuPcrLAUxv
— Nicholas Pegg (@NicholasPegg) June 16, 2021
READ MORE: GB News review: An own goal on Andrew Neil and glitches galore
Former Apprentice winner and Brexit Party candidate Michelle Dewberry was next to be caught out.
Presenting a segment called “What matters to you?”, she read out a comment from a contributor (supposedly) named Mike Hunt.
The facial expression of her panel guest says it all.
It’s a technological car crash. Either there’s a real Mike Hunt out there, or someone was having a laugh… editorial discretion should be advised… #GBNews pic.twitter.com/jhCPl6cwdO
— Ian Pinnell (@ianpinnell) June 15, 2021
Both clips soon went viral on social media.
Twitter users couldn't stop laughing at the pranks.
Finally after years of being cruelly barred from TV comment shows by overzealous editors Mike Hunt gets his moment in the sun... https://t.co/IIZGtAMI3A
— Jim Salveson (@Mr_Jimbob) June 15, 2021
Amazing. GB news is already getting trolled with fake names. Mike Oxlong, we also had a Mike Hunt. This channel is an utter joke! Whoever is setting these just please keep bombarding them with them! #GBeebies pic.twitter.com/h9DPHTKam1
— Lewis BP (@LewisBP5) June 15, 2021
READ MORE: GB News advertisers targeted by Stop Funding Hate after channel launch
When I was a trainee producer at Sky News, almost the first thing I was taught was never to put anyone called Mike Hunt on air … https://t.co/jno7HaQKNE
— Ruaridh Arrow (@ArrowontheHill) June 15, 2021
I've resisted tweeting anything about a certain news channel that has just launched in the UK but if they're so amateur that they're falling for the fake name gags I may have to start watching https://t.co/t6NMjIlXWS
— Simon Hunter (@simoninmadrid) June 16, 2021
"Moes"
— Andrew (@_A_n_d_r_e_w_s) June 15, 2021
"Hey, i'm looking for Mike Hunt?" pic.twitter.com/LRKkM1xKMw
And we have an email from Mike Hunt #GBeebies pic.twitter.com/fIze11UpiE
— robert jennings (@timelordbob1) June 16, 2021
As well as inadvertent swearing on air, GB News has been beset by technical problems – including Nigel Farage being interrupted by a pizza advert.
The channel, likened to Fox News in the US, has also been targeted by Stop Funding Hate, a campaign group which encourages advertisers to withdraw from right-wing news brands.
So far major firms including Nivea, Grolsch and Ikea have pulled their adverts from the channel.
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