Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced fresh criticism moments after arriving in the UK on Wednesday 26 August. TalkTV presenter Ian Collins launched into a furious rant live on air, telling viewers he had no interest in covering the couple's return.
"Meghan and Harry have just dipped their toes onto terra firma, onto UK tarmac in Birmingham, there's gonna be some optics around that, isn't there?" he began. Noting that the Sussexes were staying "somewhere in the Cotswolds," Ian remarked, "We'll keep abreast of what's happening," before backtracking on his statement.
Presenter's On-Air Rant
"In fact, no, we won't, to be honest," he declared. "Does anybody actually care? I do not care about Meghan and Harry. I do not care at all! Not a gnat's backside!"
Reiterating that he had no interest in reporting on Harry and Meghan, the journalist continued, "If they walked in this room, I'd say 'Get out!' I don't care about Meghan and Harry - can I put that any more emphatically?"
"It doesn't keep me awake at night!" he exclaimed. Joking that if any major stories broke in the next few hours, he might have to go back on his promise, Ian quipped, "I've already set myself a bar now. If anything happens, if a naked man streaks in front of their car, I'm gonna have to report that."
Social Media Reaction
Following the TV star's rant, viewers raced to social media. "Great to hear, can others follow please?" tweeted one. "Wish all British media would do the same… people are sick of the sight of them," replied another. Meanwhile, a third mused, "All this channel does is talk about them and the royal family, can't go one day without it."
Return to the UK
Ian's rant coincided with Harry and Meghan's highly publicised return to the UK. The couple, who moved to the US in 2020, are in the process of moving back, with their two children - Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five - joining them.
According to The Telegraph, the Sussexes have landed at Birmingham after boarding a private flight from California. With the family expected to stay in a private, non-royal residence, both Archie and Lili have been enrolled in British schools, with the new term due to start next week. Details surrounding the family's choice of property have been kept under wraps, though it has been widely reported that Meghan and Harry have set their sights on the Cotswolds.
The level of security the family will receive has yet to be determined. However, Harry and Meghan's return has sparked widespread debate, with several commentators suggesting they should not be given taxpayer-funded protection. A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess said, "This is not something we would comment on," when quizzed about the matter.
