Liz Truss delivered her final speech as Prime Minister outside Downing Street this morning after hosting her last Cabinet meeting. But viewers were massively distracted by the preparations that went into her televised appearance, with fans rejoicing over the return of 'Hot Podium Guy'.
Liz Truss, who lasted 45 days in office making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British History, stood by her disastrous record and celebrated reversing the national insurance increase imposed by Rishi Sunak when chancellor. She also said it was "a great honour" to have been the country's PM.
Just like with former PM Boris Johnson's public goodbye only months earlier, sound engineer 'Hot Podium Guy' was on hand to ensure the speech ran smoothly, carrying the wooden lectern into place before running through a sound check. He was filmed sporting his usual black T-shirt and black jeans combo, with fans on social media saying he has 'made their morning'.
Tobias Gough, 39, from Longfield, Kent, first became known as 'Hot Podium Guy' after Twitter users started swooning over his appearance before Theresa May's resignation speech back in 2019. Since then, he's gained an army of adoring fans who watch him in action in delight.
On Twitter, one fan hailed: "Best news of the day - #podiumguy (Tobias Gough) is back preparing the lectern in front of no 10 Downing Street !"
Another wrote: "Everyone be watching the news to see if #hotpodiumguy makes an appearance".
A third commented: "HANDSOME PODIUM GUY IS BACK. MY MORNING IS MADE!"
Tobias has been in the business of carrying out sound checks for more than 15 years, but has only recently caught attention when working to ensure Britain's prime ministers can be heard.
In 2019, Mr Gough revealed his surprise at the attention he had received, telling MailOnline at the time that he 'isn't model material'.
He said: "I have to say it was great lighting to make me look that good, the sun must have been at the right angle.
"I can assure people that I don't usually look as well as that - I won't going to be going into the modelling business just yet.
"But it's been very funny reading all the comments on social media."
His wife also let it be known that he is taken, shutting down any hope for his admirers, declaring: "He's my husband!"
Following her farewell speech, where she quoted Roman philosopher Seneca, outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss then travelled to Buckingham Palace with her husband Hugh O’Leary and their daughters, Frances, 16, and Liberty, 13, for Ms Truss’ final audience as premier with the King.
She was greeted by Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Queen Consort, and the monarch’s Equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson.
The head of state and Ms Truss will meet in the palace’s 1844 Room, where the former Tory Party leader will offer her resignation to the King.
Her family are expected to join her towards the end of the audience.
Following convention, the politician will leave the palace via a private route.
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