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Rachel Riley has spoken out against Eamonn Holmes following the This Morning presenter’s recent comments about the debunked theory that 5G is a potential cause of the coronavirus outbreak.
Eamonn faced criticism from viewers and scientists over his comments, and subsequently issued a statement live on This Morning suggesting what he said “may have” been “misinterpreted”.
Countdown star Rachel told Radio Times that she had previously fallen out with Eamonn when he invited conspiracy theorist David Icke on his radio show.
She told the magazine: “I’ve also been working on some anti-misinformation campaigns for Stop Funding Fake News.
“There are a lot of people trying to make money by spreading lies about coronavirus, whether it’s quack remedies or stupid conspiracy theories about 5G. It’s dangerous, especially when these things get repeated on shows that you’re expected to trust.
“I’ve fallen out with Eamonn Holmes before, when he had David Icke on his radio show, but you don’t expect to see ridiculous theories about 5G being repeated on This Morning.”
Rachel, who is married to Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev, had just returned to Countdown filming when the pandemic stalled production.
Last month, Have I Got News For You panellist Ian Hislop also blasted Eamonn over his 5G comments.
When host Victoria Coren Mitchell asked the panellists whether there was any truth to the theory, Ian insisted: “No, no. And one of the giveaways is that Eamonn Holmes said it might be.
“It’s always worth having those key indicators flashing and Eamonn Holmes is certainly one of them.”
Ian continued: “The other thing was, when he was questioned about it, he immediately said that this wasn’t being challenged by ‘state media’.
“Now, as soon as someone talks about the British press as ‘state media’, you know they’ve been on the internet too long. It really is time for them to go out in the garden, have a bit of sunshine, and stop believing complete rubbish.
“And the idea that a 5G network can give you a virus is not merely an opinion, or an interesting conspiracy, it’s just bollocks.”
Read the full interview with Rachel in Radio Times, out now. www.radiotimes.com.