Good Morning Britain's Ed Balls under fire after 'embarrassing' interview with child snooker player
GMB viewers were unimpressedEd Balls has found himself under fire after a chaotic Good Morning Britain segment saw him take a snooker cue from a nine-year-old guest live on air.
Tommy Tornado, whose real name is Tommy Fallon, appeared on the ITV show on Tuesday to demonstrate his snooker ability.
The young player has just returned from the Junior World Snooker Championships in Bulgaria, where he competed against opponents aged up to 18.
He has also challenged snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan to a frame or two.
However, viewers quickly became distracted by Ed’s behaviour as he repeatedly involved himself in the demonstration.
As Tommy attempted to focus on the drill, Ed darted around the table and appeared to deliberately disrupt his concentration.
At one point, Tommy, who has ADHD and autism, lost his train of thought after Ed grabbed his cue from his hands.
The moment sparked immediate backlash from viewers watching at home.
Ed Balls criticised during GMB snooker segment
Ed was presenting the segment alongside Susanna Reid.
While Susanna tried to speak with Tommy’s dad James, Ed’s actions dominated the studio.
Producers had placed a snooker table on set so Tommy could demonstrate a drill involving potting reds and coloured balls.
Ed interrupted by saying: “We were playing in the break, Tommy. Who’s better, you or me?”
Susanna suggested that Tommy “takes Ed Balls on” while continuing her conversation with James.
Tommy potted a red ball and leaned across the table to line up a yellow.
Ed suddenly moved beside him and told him to “jump on my knee”.
Tommy shook his head, refused, and potted the yellow himself.
Susanna commented: “I love the way Ed’s trying to help Tommy but he doesn’t need help.”
Ed responded: “I know but it’s quite a big table.” James then clarified they were using a smaller table.
“Oh I see, does he play with a full table? Oh my goodness,” Ed replied.
Ed later crouched beside Tommy and laughed: “I’m not trying to put you off. I’m not trying to put you off!”
After potting more balls, Tommy told Ed: “Your go. Reset the balls.”
Ed rushed around the table and attempted to take Tommy’s cue. Tommy shouted: “No, that’s mine, mine!”
The youngster then handed it over, appearing visibly uncomfortable.
‘They don’t like people borrowing cues’
Ed continued by hitting balls rapidly into the pockets.
At the same time, Susanna tried to ask Tommy about a silver shield he won during the Bulgaria competition.
Tommy became distracted and needed the question repeated.
Just as he was about to answer, Ed interrupted again, shouting: “What do you think, Tommy?” before taking another shot.
Tommy raised his hand and said quietly: “I forgot.”
James also tried to explain to Susanna about a congratulatory letter Tommy received from school.
When Tommy finally got his cue back, he began aggressively chalking the tip.
James explained: “They don’t like doing that. They don’t like people borrowing their cues. That’s why he was holding on to it.”
Despite this, Ed continued to interrupt until the segment ended.
GMB viewers furious over Ed Balls behaviour
Good Morning Britain viewers were quick to voice their frustration after watching the segment.
One wrote on X: “The way @edballs is behaving with the snooker kid. Embarrassing. #GMB.”
Another viewer commented: “Stop trying to take the shine, Ed!”
A third joked: “I bet Ed just whispered in the kid’s ear… ‘I can beat ya at snooker ‘.”
A fourth added: “Ed trying to win at all costs.”
One viewer summed it up bluntly, calling the segment “a [bleep-ing] car crash”.
Awkward.
Read more: 22 Kids and Counting on C5: Sue and Noel Radford’s son Josh diagnosed with agoraphobia
