Good Morning Britain viewers were taken aback by Richard Madeley's remark as he interviewed Sir Keir Starmer.
The 65-year-old broadcaster anchored Wednesday's edition of the ITV news programme alongside Susanna Reid. The two interviewed the Labour leader ahead of tomorrow's local elections.
Sir Keir discussed the cost-of-living crisis and disagreed with Boris Johnson's claims on the windfall tax made during the Prime Minister's interview with Susanna on yesterday's edition of GMB. He said: "I heard the Prime Minister in your interview yesterday and I don’t think [his] argument holds water.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson makes shocking cost of living confession as he slips up on GMB
"What we’ve said is that you should have a windfall tax on that excess profit and use that to help people with their energy bills for up to £600, for those that need it the most. That is a practical answer to what has been the single most pressing issue across the whole of the country as I have gone around it."
Sir Keir was also grilled by Richard over allegations he broke lockdown rules in Durham. Richard asked: "What do you say to the fact that evidence seems to be emerging that there were about 30 takeaway meals and bottles of beer and social intercourse that went on about 10pm, did that happen?"
The Labour leader insisted he was "very careful to abide by the rules". He added: “We’re on the road. At the end of the day we’re in the office preparing. Now that evening, from memory we were doing an online event for members.
"At some point, this was in the evening, everybody’s hungry and a takeaway was ordered. It was then delivered to the kitchen of the offices… In Durham, all restaurants and pubs were closed, so takeaways really were the only way you could eat. So this was brought in and at various points people went through to the kitchen and had something to eat, and got on with their work.”
However, viewers following the show on Twitter were distracted during the response over Richard's use of the phrase "social intercourse".
Nick said: "Did Richard Madeley just use the phrase, ‘social intercourse’?"
@Sherrifstone tweeted: "I’m off to work for my daily dose of social intercourse"
Chris Bailey, posted alongside an image of comedy character Alan Partridge: "SOCIAL INTERCOURSE”
@UnInterlocutor also referenced the fictional broadcaster as they tweeted: "Social intercourse" AHA!"
Sarah commented, alongside a laughing emoji: "Richard Madeley pressing Keir Starmer: Let’s cut to the chase: did you have SOCIAL INTERCOURSE with 30 people and a takeaway?"
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV and the ITV Hub
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