Cliff Richard sparks boycott of latest appearance as fans 'switch off' TV return after 'fat-shaming' saga

Cliff Richard sparks boycott of latest appearance as fans 'switch off' TV return after 'fat-shaming' saga

WATCH NOW: Cliff Richard appears on James Martin's Saturday Morning

ITV
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 18/12/2023

- 11:29

The 83-year-old appeared on a festive edition of James Martin's Saturday Morning

Cliff Richard prompted a number of ITV viewers to "switch off" on Saturday morning before he'd even appeared back on screens.

The 83-year-old singer joined chef James Martin on his weekend cookery show alongside fellow guests Judi Love, Richard Bertinet, Lisa Goodwin-Allen and Sat Bains.


However, Richard's inclusion in the line-up sparked controversy as several prospective viewers were irked by something the singer said in a separate interview last month.

Richard was accused of "fat-shaming" Elvis Presley after he admitted he turned down the chance to meet him because he'd put on weight - despite him being his "hero".

He made the comments on ITV's This Morning to Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary and the fallout continued as fans of Martin's expressed their disappointment.

After this past weekend's festive edition of the cooking show was promoted on X, formerly Twitter, fans shared their plans to avoid tuning in.

Cliff Richard and James Martin

Cliff Richard and James Martin reunited for a festive edition of the chef's show

ITV

"Yeah I’ll pass after his appearance on this morning," one person penned. "Surprised he had his picture with anyone bigger than him! Which is is basically anyone."

A second added: "After his fat shaming on This morning I will give it a miss thanks."

"Glad I missed this," a third echoed while a fourth switched off: "I’m out over to Matt and Saturday kitchen on BBC one today .. Cliff not for me."

Another raged: "Cliff Richards is insufferable, sorry James. He completely ruined that episode of #Saturdaykitchen a few weeks back and will no doubt have the same effect on your show."

WATCH HERE: Cliff Richard accused of 'fat-shaming' on This Morning

Cliff Richard This Morning 221123

And a fellow X user fumed: "Sorry James but why Cliff Richard. There are plenty of others for you to have chosen from. I will be watching but with gritted teeth...X."

However, there was a few viewers who jumped to the singer's defence, including one person who typed: "Great show today. Great to see Cliff on the show."

And a second argued: "People are such hypocrites when they can't even forgive Cliff Richard's Elvis Presley overweight comment, one clearly taken out of context.

"Maybe remembering our country's Christian values will help sweeten life, particularly significant given we're in the Christmas season."

Cliff Richard on This Morning

Cliff Richard's comments on This Morning sparked outrage last month

ITV

During the episode, Martin rustled up a delicious-looking cod dish for the Congratulations singer.

Richard also brought up the topic of Presley again during his interview with Martin as he recalled the life-changing impact hearing him for the first time had on him.

"It was when I heard that, I thought I wanna do that," Richard said as he reminisced about hearing Presley for the first time.

However, he avoided any mention of the King of Rock 'N Roll's weight this time around.

You may like