Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid clashed with colleague Richard Madeley condemned Will Smith hitting Chris Rock at the Oscars, calling the actor out for his 'assault' on the comedian,
In the year when the glittering made a triumphant return after the coronavirus pandemic thwarted plans for the past few years, the Oscars hit the headlines for something other than who won big on the night. And it was the moment when Best Actor winner Will hit Chris that dominated headlines and social media overnight into Monday.
Chris arrived on stage to present the documentary feature trophy and made a quip about Will's wife Jada who joined the King Richard star at this year's Oscars. The comment which appeared to trigger Will’s Oscars stage invasion was when Chris remarked that Jada couldn’t wait for GI Jane 2.”
READ MORE: GI Jane 2 joke explained as Will Smith hits Chis Rock at the Oscars
Will was first seen smiling at the quip but, as Jada sat stony faced next to him, Will then get up out of his seat and walked up to the stage where he struck Chris, who looked in a state of shock at what happened.
The incident has dominated news bulletins all over the world and, when GMB started, it was the main topic of conversation as Susanna and co-presenter Richard had their say.
Jada suffers from alopecia but, despite the sensitive subject matter of Chris' joke, Susanna said it didn't condone violence. She reacted: "He doesn't merit a slap. It's not okay, sorry, slapping people is not okay, Having his say, Richard replied: "I'm not justifying what he did but I can see why 50 per cent of our viewers think it's okay. We saw a moment of flawed humanity."
But, standing form on her point of view, Susanna told him: "Also this point about, 'I was defending her'. Yes if she was being assaulted, I understand, but not over a joke.
"If they condone it and say there was a justification for it, they're saying it's alright that if something says something and then gets hurt, it's okay."
Susanna's opinions divided viewers watching at home. Strongly disagreeing with the ITV anchor, one reacted: "cant listen to you going on that its assault. If she'd lost her hair through treatment would he of made the same joke? No he wouldnt. Joke these comedians cracking jokes at someone else's expense. If anyone should apologise it should be him to #WillSmith."
Thinking the same, another reacted: "Good MOANING Britain. The ridiculous pedal stool show for Susanna Reid to voice her anger against Will Smith defending his wife and protecting a woman from a ridiculous tasteless comedian. Sorry susanna I thought you wanted women to be protected? No?? Or only in ways you like!!."
Others disagreed with Richard, with one posting: "Wtf is wrong with Richard Madeley!!! on @GMB you’re defending an assault so utterly wrong and obviously bias as his own experience of Chris Rock. I love Will Smith he’s really let himself down but there can’t be any justice for reacting like that by a role model live on air!!"
