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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

ITV Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley slammed by viewers for asking Lisa Nandy to 'define a woman'

Richard Madeley only returned to Good Morning Britain yesterday after a two-month break and it hasn't taken long for him to ruffle viewers' feathers. The presenter was back at the helm of the ITV news programme on Wednesday (October 12) alongside Susanna Reid bringing the latest headlines, debates, and entertainment news to viewers.

Among today's guests was Lisa Nandy whose appearance on the programme comes after Labour MP Sam Tarry was ousted in a de-selection vote after giving interviews from a National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) picket line. Susanna was quick to question Ms Nandy on why she didn't get the same treatment.

"Sam Tarry, who was a frontbencher, was sacked for being at an RMT demonstration, would Sir Keir Starmer appear on a picket line alongside striking workers, you have?" Ms Nandy explained she was meeting her constituents and was not picketing as her job is "to hold the Government to account as people need a pay rise".

READ MORE: ITV This Morning viewers and Holly Willoughby defensive amid outrage over 'Halloween tat segment'

But Susanna replied: "What's the difference between supporting your constituents and supporting strikers who are on a picket line, why did somebody like you not get sacked but why did Sam Tarry get sacked?" Ms Nandy responded: "My own understanding is Tarry was sacked for doing unauthorised media appearances and announcing policies which had not been agreed."

Nandy was also quizzed by the hosts on numerous other topics, but it was Richard who quizzed the Labour MP over a topic the Labour leader has also been questioned on. The 62-year-old presenter asked: "Keir Starmer found great difficulty in defining what a woman is. Can you define what a woman is?"

Ms Nandy responded: "Yes, of course. A woman is an adult female. The law also allows for people to go through a transition process to be recognised as women if they've gone through a transgender recognition process. I think that's a decent balance and a sensible way of proceeding. I think it's a much more dignified and humane way to tackle the subject than some of the debate around this has allowed."

Lisa Nandy on Good Morning Britain (ITV)

GMB viewers were quick to comment on both Richard and Susanna's line of questioning after being left unimpressed. @DOPreston tweeted: "What is Richard and Susanna going on about? What an absolutely grim interview with Lisa Nandy." @jaydee_97 commented: "I realised Maneskin were going to be on #GMB so I switched it back on, just in time to hear Madeley ask Nandy to define a woman. Pressed the mute button so I could still see but didn't have to listen. Jeez."

@CJrpeake complained: "Rees-Mogg. Switching over - but will someone ask how much he has made from the pound crashing? Oh dear, on GMB Richard Madely asking Lisa Nandy to define ‘What is a woman?!”. Music it is then #bbcbreakfast #GMB."

@Nevererdofher fumed: "Richard Madeley asking Lisa Nandy to define a woman, Susanna going on about Sam Tarry being sacked months ago and something about Meghan Markle #GMB @GMB is becoming a farce. People are going to freeze and they’re asking those things?!!"

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