Paddy McGuinness has clapped back at the backlash he received after appearing on BBC Question Time and claimed he “couldn’t say no” when asked.
During his stint on the show, host Fiona Bruce asked the panel about Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to ditch a flagship pledge to spend £28 billion a year green projects.
McGuinness claimed he “admired” the timing of Starmer’s U-turn and went on to describe his dislike for the Conservatives and their policies.
His appearance and comments on the show sparked an uproar with BBC viewers which has prompted the Take Me Out star to defend himself.
Feeling as if he needed to “hold politicians to account”, McGuinness explained: “When I got asked to go on, it’s the sort of programme that is terrifying. But it would have really irked me if I hadn’t done it.
“It wouldn’t have sat easy with me. Being working, people look at you as the place you are from as you still speak like them – if I hadn’t have done it then you’re not getting people’s voice across.
Paddy McGuinness clapped back at Question Time backlash
BBC
“Rightly or wrongly. I’m not even a very political person but I think things like the NHS, you don’t have to be a political person, we all use it and our families use it and everyone knows the state it’s in at the minute so I felt I had a bit of an input with that.
“But if they’d have asked me about trade deals in China or whatever I would have said you’re speaking to the wrong person.
“I was sweating buckets, I was terrified. But I couldn’t say no to it. It’s important on shows like that to have everyone’s voice heard,” he told Susana Reid and Richard Madeley.
During his appearance on the BBC show McGuinness clearly stated he saw himself as a “floating voter” and never stated that he knew the ins and outs of politics.
Paddy McGuinness teased Top Gear return
BBC
Viewers found his appearance “bizarre”, with one X user fuming: “Paddy McGuinness really? BBC are scraping the barrel for panelists, time for the plug to be pulled on QT.”
“Why is Paddy McGuinness on Question Time? Is it another show that the BBC wants to get cancelled?” another noted before a third quipped: “I’m slowly swaying away from the BBC because of stunts like this…”
However, one positive viewer praised: “Never thought I’d say this, but Paddy McGuinness has come across very well on Question Time.”
McGuinness' quotes to GMB hosts Madeley and Reid also came with an update on former colleague and cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff after he suffered severe facial injuries during a horrific crash on the BBC's Top Gear.
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Paddy McGuinness clapped back at Question Time backlash
ITV
He revealed: “He’s alright! I’ve not spoken to him for a while but you know he’s getting on with it.
"He’s a very resilient character is Fred so I’ve not doubt he’ll be as right as rain.
“I sound like a politician now,” he continued. “I can’t really get into the ins and outs of it because there’s all stuff still going on with Top Gear and what have you."