Clearly not content with providing the cutting-edge political insight of a blunt butter knife, Robert Peston has broadened his horizons to TV trivia shows. On the weekend, Peston joined as an “Expert” on Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel. His expertise took him about as far as you’d expect.
Peston first faced a question on US Politics – surely the bread and butter for the ITV News Political Editor. As an expert, he had to advise contestant Nathan on which came first from a list of US political events – including the first televised TV debate, the first woman elected President, the first President elected to a fourth term and when women were granted the vote. Before even giving his answer, he corrected Nathan, who suggested the first televised presidential debate would be in the 60s – insisting “it would’ve been 50s I think”. It was in 1960.
Peston continued:
“I don’t know whether the founding fathers insisted on a two-term limit… it’s possible that in the 19th century a President was elected for four terms. I think I’m gonna go for the fourth term thing”.
Thankfully, Nathan ignored Rob’s advice, instead opting for the correct answer of “women granted right to vote”. After McIntyre explained that Franklin Roosevelt was elected to a fourth term in 1945, Rob chimed in “was he?”. A reminder – ITV pays Peston over £340,000 for his political knowledge…
Unfortunately, Peston’s mistakes didn’t end there. When prompted to which of a list of cycling events involved pairs, Peston said:
“I do watch a bit of cycling and for whatever reason, Keirin springs to mind.”
Keirin was incorrect.
As the show reached its conclusion, the expert panel were ranked based on their performance. Peston came below radio host and model Snoochie, comedian Joel Dommett, TV personality Dr Zoe and friend of the blog Georgia Toffolo. To be fair to Robert he did come in above Bez from the Happy Mondays. Bez of course can’t remember five years of his own life and has difficulty stringing a sentence together…
An epic whinge from Vice’s Bella Mackie after reading that I’m a Celeb’s Toff has landed a column with Sunday Times Style. Bella reckons Toff is too privileged to deserve her new platform:
I’m in a bad mood so maybe I’m being unfair, but the rise of “Toff” is really irking me. Sure, she’s a nice girl. But I thought the “likeable, charming posh Tory” guise went out with Boris Johnson. It’s a weird and dated delusion. pic.twitter.com/1fZDBs9ZQm
— Bella (@bellamackie) January 28, 2018
“Oh she’s so funny and eccentric” is not a match for the fact that she’s loaded, churning out sponsored content as if her life depended on it, and is a fan of JACOB REES-MOGG. He thinks abortion is wrong evens in case of rape btw. Oh but she’s so charming!
— Bella (@bellamackie) January 28, 2018
No they wouldn’t. “She’s that charming.” No. No she’s not. Corbyn, whatever you think of him, has spent his whole life fighting for those he thinks are fucked by inequality. She’s literally called TOFF. pic.twitter.com/gFE6fL9Lju
— Bella (@bellamackie) January 28, 2018
One more thing then I’ll stop. Maybe there are better people to give a column in a widely read (and great fun) magazine than this (yes I know she’s charming) girl pic.twitter.com/ejpIdM5BEg
— Bella (@bellamackie) January 28, 2018
That would be Bella Mackie, who made it in journalism after getting a job at the Guardian, where her father Alan Rusbridger was the editor. In terms of privilege and media careers not sure Bella has a leg to stand on. Toff has probably had to work harder to get a column than Bella did to get a job at the Guardian…
Great to meet @ToffTalks this morning in Parliament and to tell her about some of my plans for @Conservatives renewal and youth. Look forward to catching up again soon! pic.twitter.com/AH2FzbQmUQ
— Ben Bradley MP (@bbradleymp) January 10, 2018
Great start to my day meeting the very charming @ToffTalks in the House of commons. A tremendous ambassador for young people. pic.twitter.com/1xX1sBy89f
— Eddie Hughes MP (@EddieHughes4WN) January 10, 2018
Not sure Tory Toffs was the image they were going for in the reshuffle…
“Become very cool to vote Labour – in my opinion there are quite a few shy Tories who are voting Labour as it is seen to be cool” @ToffTalks pic.twitter.com/tzT32kEO2e
— BBC This Week (@bbcthisweek) 19 October 2017
Georgia Toffolo won ITV’s I’m a Celebrity last night. She is a sworn Tory and politics fan; here she is discussing the Conservatives on BBC’s This Week. Guido is beginning to think it was a mistake not to hire her as an intern…
A very special guest for Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands on the Commons terrace: his constituent Georgia Toffolo, AKA Toff from reality TV show Made in Chelsea. More commonly found in the MailOnline sidebar, Theresa May fan Toff is a politics enthusiast who when asked a few years ago how she would vote replied: “Tory. Definitely”. Pictured above left wearing traditional German dress, which will no doubt appeal to Herr Hands…
