Her comments were in response to the story of a pensioner who rides the bus to stay warm amid energy bills rising
Gogglebox’s Mary Wood is facing criticism online after viewers took umbrage with her defending Boris Johnson over those suffering amid the cost of living crisis.
Speaking on the latest episode of the hit Channel 4 reality comedy on Friday, Mary and her husband Giles watched on along with the rest of the cast as they reacted to the UK Prime Minister’s recent appearance on Good Morning Britain, during which he was told of a pensioner who had been riding the bus simply to stay warm as she could not afford energy bills.
Responding to the news of the 77-year-old’s struggles, Mary said “I am very sorry for Elsie but Susanna [Reid] is making out it is Boris’ fault and like he doesn’t care.” Safe to say her barely compassionate answer didn’t go down well…
Mary is so out of touch. If you can’t hold to account the Prime Minister of the country, what are we supposed to do? They’re the leaders of the country. They are supposed to support the average human in times of need. #Gogglebox pic.twitter.com/PCmYjgOqLf
— Wando (@Wandoful) May 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/jonesnsenoj/status/1522677720282730496?s=20&t=E_Hvu50L_ratV6rA7OTB7A
"I feel sorry for Elsie but…"
Then you don't feel sorry for Elsie, Mary.
You're a Tory, through-and-through.
That's not a compliment.#Gogglebox pic.twitter.com/PbWECexxpP
— Rick O'Shea (@RickOShea54321) May 6, 2022
Following up on her initial comment, husband Giles asked her: “Whose fault is it?,” to which Mary replied, “Well it is the global situation.”
However, many of those watching at home were much more heartbroken by Elsie’s story and while some of those joining in on the social media debate defended the show’s aims of representing diversity and differing opinions, most still came to the conclusion that the statement felt a little “out of touch.”
Mary, in her big house, was defending the indefensible on #Gogglebox, even after hearing about Elsie travelling around on a bus to keep warm.
The tories decided NOT to honour their 2019 Manifesto commitment – #BorisJohnson is PM so is ultimately responsible for this decision: pic.twitter.com/0LBHuTFwVA— Vox Populi – 😾 (@VoxPopu07251706) May 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/_MFrank96/status/1522686165840760834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1522686165840760834%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D334484action%3Dedit
Giles and Mary are one of the longest-serving sofa stars on the show, having been part of the line-up from their cottage in Wiltshire since 2015.
Whilst large sections of the audience have taken them into their hearts over the years, others have taken issue with a number of their comments and political leanings as the seasons have come and gone – previous defences of Johnson having caused similar outrage.
Back in 2016, The Telegraph reported that Mary and Giles are in fact friends with the PM and have even holidayed together, though neither of the trio has commented on their apparent friendship elsewhere.
Friendly reminder that Giles and Mary are raging Tories who are personal friends with Boris Johnson and Mary writes the advice column for The Spectator which is notoriously right wing… seriously give the column a read, it’s the most classist thing you’ll ever clap eyes on… https://t.co/lsqTP2WbL7
— Billy ☁️🤠✨ (@BecauseImBilly) January 13, 2021
