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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

This Morning studio tense as Vernon Kay and Matthew Wright clash over Jeff Bezos riches

The This Morning studio turned tense on Friday morning, as hosts Vernon Kay and Josie Gibson poured over the headlines on the ITV daytime show.

The TV presenters, who are standing in for regular hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield during their summer break, were joined by Matthew Wright and Gyles Brandreth.

The conversation on the sofas turned to the hundreds of workers who walked out from an Essex warehouse after being offered an hourly wage increase of 35p per hour, despite demanding a £2 hourly bump.

As the presenters discussed the Amazon walkouts, they brought up billionaire owner Jeff Bezos, who is the world's second richest man and has subsequently been accused of placing profits over people.

Matthew was apoplectic at the situation, demanding: “How can you be the world’s richest? Because you don’t really pay what I consider to be a fair rate of tax in the UK.

The presenters discussed the Amazon walkouts (ITV)

“As a consequence, we don’t benefit from that tax. Our taxes are actually going up to pay your workers.”

Josie then brought up the billionaire's girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, who was spotted touting a pink Hermes Birkin bag that is reportedly worth around $105,000 earlier this week.

Josie said: “It’s a bit of a smack when Lauren has her hundred thousand pound handbag on their luxury yacht, but they could not raise £2.”

However, Vernon then interjected to play devil’s advocate, saying: “That’s the business. But he’s self-made, let's not forget, he started in a shed selling his books online.”

Matthew was quick to jump in, insisting: “That doesn’t mean he gets to keep it all for yourself.”

“That doesn’t mean he gets to keep it all for yourself.” (ITV)

The pair then began speaking over one another, as Matthew was heard saying: “Full time worker on Universal Credit, how can that be a proper wage?”

Vernon then tried to diffuse the situation as he joked: “The guy built himself a rocket.,” and Matthew rejoined saying: “For the super rich again!”

As the studio quietened down again, Gyles suggested: “If you want to do something about it, stop using Amazon.”

Former Big Brother winner turned ITV favourite Josie first joined Craig Doyle in fronting the popular magazine programme.

The pair began speaking over one another (ITV)

Josie and Craig were in the hot seat after regular Friday hosts, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, held the position for the first two weeks of Holly and Phillip's absence.

The ITV show has already announced a variety of presenters and on-screen partnerships until the regular hosts return to our screens on September 5.

Rochelle Humes and Andi Peters were next in line to step in before Josie returned with Vernon.

Craig and Rochelle then take the reins in a new partnership before Rochelle is replaced by fellow Saturdays star Mollie King.

Ruth Langsford, who presented the Friday slot with husband Eamonn Holmes between 2006 and 2021, will host the show once again but this time with Rylan Clark.

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