Social media was abuzz this morning with excitement over the reappearance of the much-discussed ‘hot podium guy’ spotted outside Downing Street, as anticipation built for Keir Starmer’s upcoming address.
While the Prime Minister delivered an emotional speech announcing his resignation outside Number 10, it was sound technician Tobias Gough who stole the spotlight by testing the microphone beforehand.
Gough, a fit and muscular engineer hailing from Longfield, Kent, first captured the public’s fascination in 2019, donning a snug black T-shirt when Theresa May shared her resignation.
His sudden rise to fame prompted his wife, Tina, to reach out to the Mail in May 2019, quashing the hopes of his social media admirers with the declaration: ‘He’s my husband!’
Despite her statement, Gough continues to cause quite a stir among onlookers and fans every time he makes an appearance outside Number 10.
Today, one social media user quipped that Gough was the ‘only one’ at Downing Street ‘whose approval rating is still rising’.
While another admired his muscle-toned body and suggested: ‘Podium guy looks like he’s been in the gym since the last time this happened.’
Others hoped he would become Britain’s next Prime Minister and said ‘he will have lots of fans’.
Meg wrote on X: ‘But may make a certain US leader very jealous.’
Gough threw admirers into a frenzy when he placed the Downing Street lectern and did a sound check during Liz Truss’s departure in October 2022.
The simple act – so crucial in speech scenarios – meant Liz Truss was able to make her leaving remarks and depart No 10 for good.
Social media users have gone into meltdown this morning over the return of the ‘hot podium guy’ outside Downing Street ahead of Keir Starmer’s speech
Gough and other colleagues bring out the lectern ahead of Starmer’s resignation speech
Before Boris Johnson addressed the nation to announce his resignation as Prime Minister in July, ‘Podium Guy’ fans called on him to step into the breach: ‘I vote that we keep ‘Podium Guy’ on as interim and let Boris leave today,’ said one on Twitter.
In 2019, Mr Gough revealed his surprise at the attention he had received, telling the Daily Mail at the time that he ‘isn’t model material’.
He said: ‘I have to say it was great lighting to make me look that good, the sun must have been at the right angle.
‘I can assure people that I don’t usually look as well as that – I won’t be going into the modelling business just yet.
‘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.
Gough married wife Tina just two weeks before the chaos of the pandemic in May 2019, in a quiet ceremony in Scotland.
At the time, he said: ‘I’ve not spoken to her yet and I’m wondering the reaction I’m going to get but she’s messaged and taken in it all in good spirits.’
Meanwhile, wife Tina contacted the Mail in May 2019 to shut down the hopes of his many admirers on social media, to say: ‘He’s my husband!’.
During his speech, Starmer talked up his achievements in getting Labour elected in a statement outside the famous black door of No10.
But he acknowledged that his time had run out. ‘I know the question being asked now is not who is best placed to change the Labour Party… the question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.’
He added: ‘I accept that answer with good grace… that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.’
Starmer said there would be an ‘orderly’ process to ensure his replacement would be in place before the Commons summer recess on July 16.
However, he became emotional as he paid tribute to the support from his family – saying he would now focus on being the ‘best husband’ and the ‘best dad’.
The PM held back tears and his voice began to tremble as he paid tribute to the support from his family
Close colleagues had gathered outside in the street to watch the news be delivered. ‘We changed our party,’ he said.
It will pave the way for recently elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham to be handed the keys to Downing Street.
Starmer is also slated to make a statement on the G7 summit in the House this afternoon, which would have been difficult unless he had provided some clarity on his intentions.
The PM returned to Downing Street from his Chequers residence early this morning, after spending the weekend locked in talks with wife Victoria and close aides.