In a surprising turn of events during Channel 4’s coverage of the US presidential election, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was reportedly ‘fired’ from the show after repeatedly promoting his new memoir despite warnings from the program’s hosts.
Johnson’s Persistent Book Promotion Leads to Early Exit
According to co-host Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Johnson’s appearance on the show titled “America Decides: US Presidential Election” came to an abrupt end due to his insistence on plugging his book, “Unleashed.” Just minutes into the live broadcast, Johnson held up his memoir and made references to it, prompting Guru-Murthy to tell him to “put it away” and “stop it, enough.”
There’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop me … I’m allowed to plug my book.
– Boris Johnson, former British Prime Minister
Despite the admonishment, Johnson continued to bring up his book throughout the panel discussion. When asked about Donald Trump’s potential political comeback, Johnson quipped, “The answer is obviously contained in Unleashed where you’ll find the full discussion of this subject.”
Co-Hosts Express Frustration with Johnson’s Antics
Co-host Emily Maitlis grew increasingly exasperated with Johnson’s refusal to directly answer questions, stating, “We are not all going to read your book, so just tell us, do you want to have a political comeback … You can’t actually answer a single question.” Johnson responded by insisting he had answered all questions and reiterating that he was “blissfully engaged promoting” his book.
Michael Cohen Steps In as Johnson’s Replacement
Following Johnson’s departure from the show, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen was brought in to replace him on the panel. Guru-Murthy informed viewers that “Boris Johnson has been fired for banging on about his book,” though it remains unclear whether Johnson’s exit was planned or a result of his persistent self-promotion.
Johnson’s Book Sales Slump Despite Promotion Efforts
Ironically, despite his relentless efforts to promote “Unleashed” during the Channel 4 broadcast, sales of Johnson’s memoir have reportedly slumped by 62% in its second week of release. The former prime minister’s appearance on the US election coverage show may have been an attempt to boost interest in his book, but it appears to have backfired spectacularly.
As the dust settles on this bizarre incident, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s abrupt departure from the Channel 4 program. While some speculate that his exit may have been pre-planned, others believe that his refusal to heed the hosts’ warnings and focus on the election discussion at hand led to his untimely ‘firing.’
Regardless of the true reason behind Johnson’s exit, his appearance on the show will likely be remembered more for his shameless self-promotion than for any insightful commentary on the US presidential election. As the former prime minister continues to navigate his post-leadership career, it remains to be seen whether this incident will have any lasting impact on his public image or the success of his memoir.
