THE so-called ‘hot podium guy’ who prepares the lectern outside No10 has now outlasted five PMs in seven years after Starmer’s resignation today.
He’s left Brits weak at the knees during times of political uncertainty but today looked as weary as the nation after years of chaos.
A fresh-faced Mr Gough preparing the lectern for Theresa May’s departure in 2019 Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Mr Gough later returned for Boris Johnson’s resignation in 2022 Credit: Sky News
The engineer from Kent, real name Tobias Gough, made his first fresh-faced appearance in 2019 before ‘s teary-eyed departure.
Fast forward seven years and fans of Mr Gough have joked how much more tired he looks following the constant churn of Prime Ministers.
Heartthrob Tobias was also spotted before ‘s resignation speech in 2022 as well as sound-checking for after her brief stint at the helm in October 2022.
Following this morning, he became the sixth premier to resign in the last decade with online users joking No10s constant political turmoil has taken its toll on Tobias.
Mr Gough then returned to work on the podium today for Sir Keir’s departure
Dubbed the ‘hot podium guy,’ he has been left looking tired after the constant political turmoil in recent years, fans say Credit: Simon Jones
Everything you need as Keir Starmer resigns…
- The PM has resigned this morning after just 23 months in power
- You can here
- Our Editor-at-Large on Starmer’s shambolic premiership
- Here is a rundown of after under 2 years
- The after Starmer threw in the towel
- What happens next? on the next steps
- Should there now be a general election following Keir Starmer’s resignation?
- You can follow along for the
One social media user joked that Tobias was the “only one” at Downing Street “whose approval rating is still rising”.
Another admired his toned physique, suggesting: “Podium guy looks like he’s been in the gym since the last time this happened.”
Others held out hopes he might step up to the mark and become the UK’s next Prime Minister.
“He will have lots of fans,” they said.
Another quipped that his stature might pose a threat to the US president’s ego.
One joked: “Dont worry if Burnham gets in it won’t be long before we see this man again.”
The flood of attention led his wife, Tina, to contact The Mail in May 2019 to shut down hopes of his gushing admirers.
A modest Tobias admitted he’d been suprised by the slew of longing, telling the Mail at the time that he didn’t consider himself “model material”.
“I have to say it was great lighting to make me look that good, the sun must have been at the right angle,” he said.
“I’m 36 so I think my best days may be well behind me.
“But it’s been very funny reading all the comments on social media.”
He added that his phone had been pinging all day, with amused friends joking he should make a calendar.
“I must have done these sound checks hundreds of times in the 15-years I’ve been in the business and it’s all gone as normal,” he said.
“I’m making sure all the microphones are connected properly ahead of the Prime Minister’s resignation speech and about half an hour or so later I’m making the news.
“People nominating me for Prime Minister and showering me with compliments. It’s been a very flattering – if funny – day that’s for sure.”
Following Boris Johnson‘s resignation speech in September 2022, “Podium Guy” fans called on him to take command.
“I vote we keep ‘Podium Guy’ on as interim and let Boris leave today,” said one on X.
The spotlight on Mr Gough comes after Sir Keir acknowledged his time was up by announcing his resignation outside Downing Street this morning.
His resignation will pave the way for the newly elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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