Richard Madeley compares 'childish' oil protester to Vicky Pollard in heated GMB debate

Richard Madeley did not hold back as he interviewed an oil protester on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain.

The 65-year-old TV presenter was hosting the breakfast show alongside Ranvir Singh, when the conversation turned to the recent protests over the weekend.

Richard and Ranvir invited Miranda Whelehan into the studio to explain why she felt the need to protest.

Richard began the discussion by saying to Miranda: "Many people would agree that we have to wean ourselves off oil, we have to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, we have to develop renewables, I certainly feel that.

"But at the same time they deeply resent having their personal lives massively interrupted by the actions of people like you. Do you accept that you're possibly alienating people who, in a general sense, would support your background cause?" he asked.

Richard Madeley did not hold back as he interviewed an oil protester on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain (ITV)

Miranda replied: "I would say I don't think any of us want to be disrupting people's lives, but I think given the science and the things the academics are saying about what oil is causing around the world and in this country, this is the level of action that needs to be taken when our government is failing on their energy policies and their climate pledges."

Richard then fired back: "But you'd accept wouldn't you that it's a very complicated discussion to be had? It's a very complicated thing and this 'just stop oil' slogan is very playground-ish, it's very Vicky Pollard, it's quite childish.

Richard told protestor Miranda Whelehan that her actions were 'childish' (ITV)

"'Just stop oil', I mean come on, there's more to say than that isn't there?" Richard then added.

Miranda looked quite stunned at Richard's comments as she replied: "I would say that the answers are actually very simple. We need to stop new oil licensing and that's what we're asking.

"With the oil reserves that we have now and the oil fields that we have that are still going, that would provide us with eight years of oil, if we said no to new oil and that's what we're asking for."

Richard then informed her that they've not had one single message of support from GMB viewers for the oil protesters.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV and ITV hub.