Hugh Grant trolls outgoing PM Boris Johnson
Actor Hugh Grant has engaged in some hilarious antics against outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson amid calls for the leader to quit.
After several days defying calls for his resignation from Conservative MPs and mass resignations from his cabinet, Mr Johnson finally announced he would resign late on Thursday (Australian time).
But, the announcement came with the sounds of Yakety Sax playing in the background - per a request from Grant.
The Love Actually star requested activists standing outside Westminster to play the famed Benny Hill Show theme song, which activist and anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray honoured at full volume.
Morning @snb19692 Glad you have your speakers back. Do you by any chance have the Benny Hill music to hand?
— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) July 7, 2022
“Morning [Mr Bray],” Grant tweeted on Thursday afternoon.
“Glad you have your speakers back. Do you by any chance have the Benny Hill music to hand?”
Mr Bray was all too happy to play the tune, sharing footage of protestors dancing to the wacky tune on the College Green.
“Just for [Hugh Grant] as requested here today at the media circus… College Green. The Benny Hill theme tune,” Mr Bray tweeted.
Just for @HackedOffHugh as requested here today at the media circus… College Green. The Benny Hill theme tune. pic.twitter.com/Tazb57gT8e
— Steve Bray Activist Against Brexit +Corrupt Tories (@snb19692) July 7, 2022
The music could even be heard in the background of news broadcasts which aired interviews with MPs, including supporters of Mr Johnson, also held in Parliament Square.
Footage of the interviews quickly spread on social media, with many praising Grant and the activists.
“Brilliant! Whoever is responsible for the choice of music & the impeccable timing should be given an MBE!!!” one person commented.
“You absolute beauties. He’s only gone and done it!” a second fan wrote.
“Don’t know about you, but I’m pretty damn excited with Boris Johnson’s replacement as the new PM,” another said, sharing a photo of Grant in his role as the British PM in Love Actually.
“Your request was Grant’ed Hugh!” another joked. “Bravo Steve! Bravo!”
Although Mr Johnson has announced his resignation, he wants to stay until his replacement is chosen.
“Today I have appointed a cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place,” he said in his speech outside Downing Street.
“I know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed. And I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world. But them’s the breaks.”
Images: Getty Images