Before Laurence Fox became the poster boy for the anti-woke generation, he was an actor. He comes from a family of actors well known in the profession.
He was once awarded a Specsavers Golden Dagger Award for his work. However, this left him with a bit of a problem after Specsavers decided not to hand over money to GB News and pulled their adverts.
The channel launched on June 13th with a host of high-profile signings, including former Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, ex-BBC presenter Simon McCoy and former ITV presenter Alastair Stewart.
In his opening monologue, former BBC political interviewer Neil said the channel will “puncture the pomposity of our elites in politics, business, media and academia and expose the growing promotion of cancel culture for the threat to free speech and democracy that it is”.
Pranks
However, the station has been subjected to a number of ‘childish’ pranks and a number of companies withdrew their financial support through advertising.
GB News boss Andrew Neil was fuming, especially about IKEA.
He was happy to take their money, until they were not happy to give it to him…
IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff. https://t.co/Z82CvME7pY
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) June 15, 2021
The full list of advertisers who have pulled their ads from GB News includes:
- Kopparberg
- Grolsch
- Nivea
- Open University
- Ikea
- Octopus Energy
- Ovo Energy
- Indeed
- Vodafone
- Specsavers
- LV
- Bosch
- Moneysupermarket
- Pinterest.
Fox
As expected Mr Fox is not happy, at all, with these companies joining the ‘blockade’ of GB News.
He said in the video on his twitter post: “I’m at the GB News HQ and I’ve just learned off Twatter that Specsavers have boycotted them advertising. Now this is a big problem for me because the only acting award I’ve ever won was the Specsavers golden dagger award. I’m handing it back. You can have it back, Specsavers.”
At @GBNEWS and just heard that @Specsavers have joined the blockade. pic.twitter.com/F02VHhWLUM
— Laurence Fox ✌???✌? (@LozzaFox) June 16, 2021
Reactions
Well as you can imagine ‘twatter’ was ready to have its say…
1.
I don’t know what Specsavers were watching when they gave Laurence Fox an ‘acting award’, but with hindsight perhaps they should have gone to Specsavers!
— Matthew Payne (@Matthew82069336) June 17, 2021
2.
Specsavers get to rectify two mistakes in one go then.
— Robert Stone (@RobertStone1964) June 16, 2021
3.
I must make that appointment with @Specsavers ?? https://t.co/SvHQHt2kwY
— Stephen Green (@Beany_) June 17, 2021
4.
The most tragic thing about unemployed and unemployable minor jobbing actor Loozza Fox handing back his award to Specsavers because they have pulled ads from Gutter Bollocks, is that it is his ONLY award ever. For anything. You’d need a heart of stone not to laugh out loud. ? pic.twitter.com/Bw6m2PZuts
— Brexit Buster (@BrexitBuster) June 16, 2021
5.
Wasn’t it awarded to Billie Piper anyway, for dating him?
— Anti-Bullshit Alien (@LennieMerrick1) June 17, 2021
6.
Wasn’t it awarded to Billie Piper anyway, for dating him?
— Anti-Bullshit Alien (@LennieMerrick1) June 17, 2021
7.
Hilarious. Capitalist companies exercise their freedom and the ‘freedom lovers’ lose their pieces.
— David Tidey (@tideyd01) June 16, 2021
8.
Laurence Fox is handing back an acting award that he won from Specsavers because they have boycotted GB News.
— Katy (@KatyJayne101) June 17, 2021
To be honest the most shocking part of this is that he actually won an acting award.#GBNews #laurencefox #Specsavers
9.
It’s had quite an impact on GBNews. Less than a day without glasses and they’ve spelled your name wrong. pic.twitter.com/zMjbvLXpOl
— Derek Pakora (@Oingo_Boingo) June 16, 2021
10.
Don’t worry Laurence Richmond Sausages ‘The Nation’s Sausage’ are still advertising on #GBeebies
— Dean Morrison #FBPE #RejoinEU (@BarumDean) June 16, 2021
The nation is Ireland of course, I think they might be trolling you.
Planting their tanks on the Brexiter lawn in the great #sausagewars ??? pic.twitter.com/IMDcPF4nox
11.
That’ll teach em. You walking into lampposts more frequently.
— SW (@Soopawooly) June 16, 2021
Of course there are many who are fuming about these ‘woke’ companies
@Specsavers will be added to our list.
— Stopfundingwoke (@Stopfundingwok1) June 16, 2021
What did they charge GB news of? Giving people around the country, outside the m25 a voice and representation? Does equality repulse them so much?
Use independents or online. #StopFundingWoke