Richard Madeley has been branded a 'hypocrite' by ITV viewers after he criticised a shoplifting activist on Good Morning Britain, despite his own past shoplifting charge. The debate erupted on Monday when Madeley questioned a guest from the Everybody Eats campaign, which involves taking food from shops to restock food banks without payment.
During the segment, activist Luke argued that people are becoming desperate due to the cost of living crisis. Madeley challenged the use of the word 'starving', insisting that no one in the UK is at risk of death from starvation. He demanded proof of starvation-related inquests, prompting backlash from viewers who reminded him of his own 1994 shoplifting incident.
Madeley was charged with shoplifting after failing to pay for items at a Tesco in Walkden, Greater Manchester, on two occasions. He was acquitted by a jury and later claimed it was an honest mistake, saying he forgot to take a bottle of champagne out of his trolley. Despite this, he has frequently condemned shoplifting on the high streets, including a recent incident at his local Boots.
Viewers took to social media to express their anger, with one writing: 'Madeley was a shoplifter and now sits there like some 2nd coming of Jesus.' Another quipped: 'Madeley will never starve because he has a track record of not paying for goods.' The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around food bank use and the cost of living crisis in the UK.
