Richard Madeley was asked 'why don't you interview yourself' in a heated clash on Good Morning Britain today.
The presenter was leading today's episode of the ITV breakfast show alongside Kate Garraway as they discussed the train strikes over the Christmas and festive period. Mick Lynch, the General Secretary of the RMT Union, was there live from the picket line to explain the union's decision to strike over this time of year as Richard insisted it was the wrong time to strike.
The interview started off as normal but soon turned sour as Richard accused Mr Lynch and the union of "robbing" businesses of their festive income and causing travel chaos, particularly at this time of year.
"We're not targeting Christmas Richard," Mr Lynch insisted, "It's not Christmas yet. I don't know when your Christmas starts but mine starts on Christmas Eve. So we are striking at this time because we've got -"
Richard jumped in and called Mr Lynch "disingenuous" over his comments, adding repeatedly: "You're disingenuous, you're disingenuous." Mr Lynch went to speak to say it wasn't but Richard still continued to carry on as Mr Lynch said "if you could let me finish" before the pair found themselves in a heated clash as they rowed over the strikes.
"Commercial Christmas starts in December, you know that," Richard said, as he continued to call it disingenuous. Mr Lynch then continued to try and speak as Richard spoke over him repeatedly.
"Richard you're just talking to yourself," Mr Lynch said, "Richard you're ranting now!" After he finally stopped speaking, Mr Lynch then went on to say "have you finished then?" as Richard told him to answer the question.
As the chat continued to get nowhere, Mr Lynch then told Richard: "Why don't you just interview yourself if you want to," as Richard continued to clash with Mr Lynch over his line of questioning.
"I'm holding you to account on behalf of the viewers not myself. I don't like the sound of my own voice, I'd like to hear yours," he repeated as Mr Lynch said he was talking to himself once again.
He then went on to say: "If you'd like to hear mine, why don't you stop talking to yourself?" before the conversation finally got underway and Mr Lynch explained why the union had decided to strike.
A month of rail disruption will begin on Tuesday when workers walk out for their first of a wave of 48-hour strikes. Members of the RMT are pressing ahead with two 48-hour strikes at Network Rail – and 14 train companies – from Tuesday and Friday.
