The mockery of GB News’ reportedly low viewing figures has shown no sign of stopping after a guest left a hidden message in the background trolling the controversial news channel.
James Mills, former strategic advisor to ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, appeared on Michelle Dewberry’s programme on Friday night to discuss how the party can make a political comeback, but also chose to display a comment on the channel’s viewership on the whiteboard behind him.
“No one is watching GB News,” the message reads.
After pulling the stunt, Mills took to Twitter to reveal that he “just got cancelled (or as they call it ‘banned’) by what I assume was one of the editors” as a result of his trickery.
I just got cancelled (or as they call it "banned") by what I assume was one of the editors of #gbnews but after their stance on taking a knee I thought I would have some fun rather than just say no to them...😂 #NoOneIsWatchingGBNews pic.twitter.com/MorTkT4XGA
— James Mills (@JamesMills1984) July 16, 2021
“But after their stance on taking a knee I thought I would have some fun rather than just say no to them.
“My favourite bit was when the editor called me up angrily afterwards to say, ‘people are tweeting about what you did so clearly it’s not true that no one is watching.’
“I guess we all measure success differently… tbf, given their viewing figs you can understand, low bar,” he wrote.
The incident comes as GB News continues to deal with a crisis caused by one of its presenters taking the knee on Tuesday, prompting a boycott which led to several programmes receiving no viewers at all – according to the ratings agency Barb.
I just got cancelled (or as they call it "banned") by what I assume was one of the editors of #gbnews but after their stance on taking a knee I thought I would have some fun rather than just say no to them...😂 #NoOneIsWatchingGBNews pic.twitter.com/MorTkT4XGA
— James Mills (@JamesMills1984) July 16, 2021
On Thursday, the channel issued a statement that while it does not “have a company line on taking the knee”, presenter Guto Harri taking the knee was “an unacceptable breach of our standards” – a statement which was criticised online as being “entirely contradictory”.
Mills’ cheeky easter egg has since been praised by others online:
Fantastic, mate. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— . (@Mexico864) July 16, 2021
You're a bad, bad, person, and I like it. 😂
— Tim Mitchell 🌹💙 (@timothygmitch) July 16, 2021
I can't believe it.
— j jarry 🙂 (@jjarry0) July 16, 2021
You can take the boy out of the McDonnell-era Shadow Treasury Team out of the boy, but... https://t.co/bYQFEX6A4T
— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) July 16, 2021
— Ben (@glitterboy18284) July 16, 2021
“No one is watching GB News” says the board behind the man who is talking to @MichelleDewbs on @GBNEWS. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/XEVKv1NdxA
— Ash Hirani (@Ash_Hirani) July 16, 2021
More cancel culture from gbnews lol
— Paul Dolman-Darrall (@MrPaulDD) July 16, 2021
Spot the hidden message.
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) July 17, 2021
(via the many people who sent me this) pic.twitter.com/7amOf8Odlf
Given that interest in GB News is faltering at the moment, it’s rather fitting that Mills chose to make the joke via a board…
