Len Goodman was welcomed into the Good Morning Britain studio today to discuss his work with Age UK. During the conversation he brought up how televisions are a form of company for some of the elderly and Piers Morgan wanted to know the former Strictly Come Dancing judges’ opinion on the BBC licence fee and the repercussions those not paying the price could face.
“One of the worst things about getting old can be loneliness,” Len explained to Piers and Susanna Reid.
“There are so many people who have lost their husbands or wives, or their partner and that’s the other thing, sometimes the only thing that gives them a bit of entertainment and joy, is watching TV!”
“Well, let’s talk about that,” Piers replied. “You’ve been very vocal about this BBC TV licence debate – the over 75s threatened with having to pay it, having been promised it would be free.
“What do you make of it?”
READ MORE
-
‘Hang on!’ Piers Morgan clashes with Tom Watson in heated GMB debate
“Well first of all, the trouble is, if you promise somebody something – that’s great,” the dancing expert explained.
“But once you try and get it back, if it had never happened you’d have never sort of given it a thought! Because it did happen, listen I’m 75, am I bothered about paying the licence? No, I’m more than happy to pay it.”
Susanna then asked: “Is that an argument for means testing then Len?”
“Well I don’t know,” he replied. “But there’s millions of older people that never see a soul. And their only form of entertainment is the television.”
“Boris Johnson’s government has indicated what they may do, they may encourage the public who can’t afford to pay the licence fee to risk -“ Piers began to explain.
Len interjected: “What are they going to do? They can’t, what are they going to do put somebody of 80 in -“
“Well they do put people in prison,” Piers remarked. “You do see people every year are put in prison for it, it is outrageous.”
“Anyone who over 80 that gets put in prison because they haven’t paid it, I honestly think Piers you should pay it for them,” he said ending in jest.
DON’T MISS…
Louise Minchin corrects Jess Phillips over huge Labour error [BLUNDER]
Jeremy Vine guest stuns as she claims men shouldn’t protect women [COMMENT]
Stormzy leaves BBC Breakfast viewers and Dan Walker distracted [REACTION]
It comes after the government announced their plans to consider whether failure to pay the TV licence fee should cease to be a criminal offence.
In December, the Treasury minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the Prime Minister’s order to review the sanction for non-payment of the £154.50 charge, which funds the BBC.
Prosecution for non-payment of the fee can currently end in a court appearance and potential fine of up to £1,000.
But the BBC warned decriminalisation could cost it £200m a year.
READ MORE
- Good Morning Britain viewers outraged by huge Piers Morgan shake-up
Before Len, Jess Phillips MP appeared to discuss her plans for the Labour leadership race.
She, alongside five other Labour candidates are going head to head to take over Jeremy Corbyn’s role.
Susanna was keen to clarify her position on rejoining the European Union after Brexit.
Good Morning Britain airs weekday mornings at 6am on ITV.
Source: Read Full Article