Topics: Holly Willoughby, This Morning, Politics
Holly Willoughby has been hit with a backlash after she sympathised with Just Stop Oil protesters who disrupted Wimbledon.
Her comments came during a discussion on This Morning about the activist group's controversial methods of protest.
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Whilst discussing the topic with LBC presenter Nick Ferrari, Willoughby said: "But then you look, we had the hottest day globally on record… you know? I mean, it's…"
In response, Ferrari made the case that it wasn't down to attendees at Wimbledon whether or not the government acted on climate change.
He said: "We have got a massive problem. Those spectators, what are they meant to do? All that has happened is their afternoon has been disrupted.
"We don't make the decisions, so what are we going to do? You disrupt the cricket, the rugby…"
Willoughby responded: "I know, I understand.
"But I guess their hope is that someone higher up will start to make a difference…. I don't know the answer."
Some viewers were furious that the presenter was defending the protesters' headline grabbing tactics.
The fact that Willoughby had taken a helicopter from London to get to Glastonbury made some particularly angry with her as they took to Twitter.
One wrote: "Holly saying she understands Just Stop Oil because of the climate crisis but happy to take a helicopter to Glastonbury, hypercritical sanctimonious tripe."
Another added: "They are laughing at us all."
A fellow critic fumed: "So Holly is a hypocrite, an elitist and two faced eh? Who knew."
The discussion came shortly after a Just Stop Oil activist stormed the Wimbledon court where British number one Katie Boulter was playing.
Whilst the tennis star looked on in shock, he hurled jigsaw pieces and confetti to the ground.
The protester, named by the group as William John Ward, disrupted Boulter as she was playing her match against Australia's Daria Saville.
For his efforts, Ward was met with boos and jeers from the frustrated spectators before security dragged him off the court.
The group have vowed they will continue to target highly publicised sport events.
This comes after months of protests which have brought traffic to a standstill in cities across the UK, causing much aggravation for commuters.
Tyla have reached out to Holly Willoughby's representatives for comment.
