Eamonn Holmes' blunt reaction to BBC 'splashing out' £63m on taxis for guests
The GB News host went on a scathing rant.
GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes went on a scathing rant after reports of the BBC spending £63m on taxis for guests. The 66-year-old TV host had been reading Monday morning's headlines when he hit out, saying it was a "load of nonsense".
He read out a front page which claimed that the Beebs are set to "blow £63m on cabs that are available 24/7." Eamonn then went on: "Well, how do these people actually think that you get guests into the studio?" A guest on the show, Olympian Kriss Akabusi, then agreed as he said: "100%! It's absolute madness." Eamonn added: "It's an essential part of what they do." Kriss replied: "Exactly. You'd have no guests, no presenters, nobody if you say 'actually no, we're not going to get you there, make your own way.'" Eamonn's co-star, Ellie Costello, then added to the discussion, saying: "Especially on late night programmes and early morning starts if there's no public transport. I mean, there's no other way, is there?"
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Regular presenter Dawn Neesom then played Devil's advocate as she said: "Well, for balance though, they do pay for taxis if you live quite close and it's the middle of the day and you can easily get public transport."
Kriss then hit back once more saying: "But it's not about that. They need to make sure that you get there on time.
"If the BBC, or any company, sends a car for you, it's because it's vitally important that they know you are on site, in the building, in the greenroom and ready to go."
Eamonn then pointed out that they are just using taxis, not limousines. "The other thing is, if they don't send you in a taxi they'd have to send you on a train, which is much more expensive, or an aeroplane," he continued.
"So how do you base your whole organisation in Salford and how are people supposed to get there? Walk? You know, what a load of nonsense."
Dawn then continued to play the opposing card as she pointed out one huge problem. "In an organisation of that size, it's not that much money in the grand scheme of things," she said.
"But the problem is, is that it is our money."
