An interview on ITV's Good Morning Britain took an unexpected turn when rock icon Gene Simmons accused presenter Ed Balls of "flirting" with him during a live broadcast. The 76-year-old KISS legend joined the show via video link from Los Angeles on Tuesday, leading to a segment viewers quickly labelled as "awkward."
The Live TV Exchange That Sparked the Accusation
Simmons was discussing his band's legendary career and their iconic use of makeup and extravagant costumes. He spoke about a period when KISS proved they could sell out stadiums without their full aesthetic, before eventually returning to it.
The moment unfolded when host Ed Balls remarked that the musician looked "better and more glamorous" without his signature makeup. Simmons responded with a joke that set the tone for the rest of the interview. "I don't know how to tell you this, I don't wanna break your heart but I'm heterosexual," the rocker said.
Balls played along, quipping back: "That is the biggest disappointment of my Christmas, I am disappointed!" This prompted Simmons to address the exchange more directly. "You sounded like you were flirting and this is morning television and I don't want your viewers to be spitting out their coffee," he told Balls.
Simmons' Declaration of Love for the UK
After the light-hearted accusation, Gene Simmons turned sincere, expressing his profound admiration for the United Kingdom. He revealed that he and his bandmates became "Anglophiles" after their first visit in 1974 or 1975.
"The home of the Beatles, when we first stepped off the jet... I can't tell you the emotions we felt," Simmons explained. "We grew up with A Hard Day's Night, all that stuff and it changed our lives. It literally changed our lives so I've always been a massive, massive fan of England."
He poetically described the country as a "magical island that's almost like Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings" and praised its musical legacy. In a surprising aside, he also offered his support for the monarchy, stating, "don't get rid of the monarch, keep the King, it's cool!"
As the interview concluded, Ed Balls vowed to remain a "groupie" who would "throw things on the stage" and secured a promise from Simmons for a UK tour with his band next year. Co-host Charlotte Hawkins giggled throughout, later noting Balls had "put him off" with the throwing comment, to which Balls clarified: "I didn't say what I was going to throw. I didn't say my underwear!"
Viewer Reaction and Simmons' Controversial Side Venture
Viewers watching at home were quick to comment on social media about the unusual interview. One viewer wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Normally you blur your background rather than your face. Gene has done it the other way round." Another simply stated, "This interviews awkward." Others pointed out the "unbearable" silences.
The interview comes after Simmons faced criticism earlier in the year for a controversial money-making scheme. He offered fans the chance to be his "Personal Assistant & Band Roadie For The Day!!" for a staggering $12,495 (approximately £9,650). The package did not include a ticket to the actual concert.
Given Simmons' estimated net worth of $400 million, the offer sparked outrage online. Critics called the scheme "disgusting" and questioned why someone should pay to work for him. One person joked on X that the offer resembled "Instagram scam DM material."
The segment on Good Morning Britain proved that even after decades in the spotlight, Gene Simmons can still create memorable—and decidedly awkward—television moments.
