Richard Madeley has ranted about increased 'fingering-waving' after the pandemic on today's programme of Good Morning Britain after a rule change for farmers hit a nerve.
The ITV presenter's impassioned speech was in response to the announcement of farmers being given tips from the government on how to be less rude.
Yelling “Get off my land” at walkers who stray from footpaths is one of the many expressions deemed unacceptable under new government guidance for farmers to encourage them to be welcoming to visitors.
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The news of the guidelines unimpressed the presenter who put the introduction of government policy down to increasingly 'moralising' people.
Seeming frustrated, he spoke on Good Morning Britain today: "This increasing official finger-waving and moralising, just stay out of it. If farmers shout of people trespassing on their land, let them shout at them.
"Why do they have to keep moralising? God - it drives me mad," he exclaimed.
His rant was met with jibes from Susanna who interrupted Richard: "What - when people who encroach on your land and you can no longer say 'Get off of my land!'"
He continued: "I think it's lockdown that's done it. We've been bossed about and told what to do in such minute detail for so long that it's gone to everybody's heads.
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"It's ludicrous that there's a government initiative to tell farmers to write friendly signs. Go away."
Farmers have been told they should use “friendly language” on signs and if visitors trespass they should ask them if they are lost and “help them get back to paths”, according to the guidance for land managers published under the Countryside Code.
Viewers' reactions over the GMB presenter's performance were certainly mixed as Richard took the presenter chair at Susannah's side this morning.
On Twitter, Delaney Gibson - @Delaney8 - said: "Richard Madeley is a national treasure!!"
While @BubsyMcDoo commented: "I don’t particularly like Susanna but I feel so sorry for her having to listen to Richard Madeley waffle on every morning."
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