Good Morning Britain viewers were horrified at ‘disgusting’ comments made about darts star Luke Littler by host Adil Ray.
Fans said Adil should be ‘ashamed’ as he was accused of ‘fat-shaming’ the 17-year-old with cruel comments about his appearance and diet.
Discussing the sports news on Thursday’s show, coverage of Luke’s 5-2 defeat over Nathan Aspinall that secured him a place in the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship was aired. Adil then warned viewers he was about to say something that ‘might not be very popular.’ He continued:
“I’m a little bit worried about Littler. He’s 17 and he’s turning into the look of a darts player. Look at him! He’s admitting to having pizzas before a match. I’d be a bit worried,” he added.
Kate Garraway then said Adil need not be worried about Luke as he’s ‘so successful.’ Doubling down, Adil replied: “He’s going to get more successful and he can keep on doing it… but I don’t want him to get too unhealthy.”
To lighten the mood, Kate suggested Adil visit Luke’s dressing room with a carrot to ‘see how that goes down.’ Adil joked: “Just before the final. Here you go, I’ve got a salad for you from Pret.” While Kate and Adil giggled in the studio, viewers at home claimed to be ‘disgusted’ by the exchange.
One fumed: “Adil Ray just casually fat shaming a 17-year-old kid on Good Morning Britain, should be ashamed.”
Another chimed in: “GMB your hosts fat shaming Luke Littler, a 17-year-old boy, is unacceptable and unnecessary. Clearly a bitter and unhappy new year for Adil and Kate.”
A third called Adil’s comment hypocritical, writing: “I can’t believe the body shaming by Adil Ray on this morning’s GMB about Luke Littler. This programme will have carried disapproving items on body shaming in the past. Leave the young lad alone. Would he have said that about a woman? I think an apology is in order.”
Another fan defended Adil, replying : “He wasn’t fat shame him but suggests a healthy option . Luke should and could set an example to others in his position. Why should he be a stereotype fast food beer drinking darts player?”
Luke has fast become one of the biggest names in darts after reaching the 2024 World Championship final at the age of 16.
A peak TV audience of 3.7 million people watched last year’s final in which Luke Littler, nicknamed The Nuke earned £200,000 for finishing second. He earned £1m in prize money in his first year as a professional.
Luke became so popular he topped prime minister Keir Starmer and King Charles in Google’s most-searched for names of 2024.
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