This morning, when outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson was putting the finishing touches on his resignation letter, the Benny Hill theme song could be heard throughout Westminster.
During a Sky News interview with Tory MP Chris Philp, the merry music, which is frequently employed as the soundtrack for absurdly humorous or farcical events, could be clearly heard in the background.
Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray, who has made a number of related speeches outside Parliament this week, pumped the distinctive sound of the song, formally known as Yakety Sax, out of a speaker.
He acknowledged that actor Hugh Grant, who asked for the song to be played in a tweet to Mr. Bray earlier this morning, was the inspiration for this particular stunt.
Mr. Bray tweeted a video of himself dancing with people on the green, adding: “Just for [Mr. Grant] as asked here today at the media circus… Campus Green The soundtrack to Benny Hill.
As one journalist tweeted: “Loving the circus music audible in the background now as the UK networks stream outside Number 10,” the stunt was received with joy on social media. Fitting.’
It’s wonderful that [Mr. Bray] is taking requests, said broadcaster Max Rushden. Go Now by the Moody Blues is a fantastic song, according to Route One.
As a result of Hugh Grant asking Steve Bray through Twitter if he had the Benny Hill theme song, the news now sounds like this, according to another user. The nation has become insane and the mob happy, but I AM HERE FOR IT!
A fourth person commented that it was hilarious how Steve Bray would play the Benny Hill theme song whenever a Tory MP was interviewed on College Green.
It happens just 24 hours after the activist similarly disrupted a live Good Morning Britain broadcast by singing a rearranged version of Bye Bye Baby in front of the Houses of Parliament.
When Mr. Bray, 53, started singing “Bye Bye Boris” to the tune of the Bay City Rollers’ anthem, GMB presenters Susanna Reid, 51, and Ed Balls, 55, were hosting the ITV breakfast news program live from Westminster.
Reid asked, “Oh what’s,” seeming disoriented as the pro-EU protester began singing. I apologize, where did that come from?
When Reid asked, “Are we about to do karaoke?,” before realizing it was Bray, Balls responded, “I don’t know.”
Bray, who hails from Port Talbot in South Wales, has demonstrated against Brexit frequently on College Green and is well-known for shouting during newscasts.
He is also well-known for entering the background of live news while carrying placards with anti-Brexit or anti-government sentiments. He frequently does this while wearing an eye-catching attire.
Reid and Balls started dancing along to Bray’s rendition of Bye Bye Baby as his performance ramped up.
Reid recognized the performer right away and exclaimed, “Oh, it’s Steve Bray!” Isn’t this the most recent Steve Bray protest?
Both presenters appeared to be amused by the creative act despite the interruption.
Steve, come on,” urged Balls.
Reid continued, “Well, I suppose there are other ways to make your voice heard if you’re no longer allowed to shout.
It follows the police silencing of Bray, a failed Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, last week when they seized his potent music system in Westminster.
He was informed by the Metropolitan Police that morning that he could not hold a “noisy protest” in a specified area outside the Palace of Westminster under the terms of the June 28-implemented Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.
As they gave him an explanation of the new regulations and removed his equipment, he referred to the cops as “a bunch of fascists.”
Although Mr. Bray began his one-man protest by yelling about Brexit, he has already turned his attention to criticizing Boris Johnson and the Conservatives.
He frequently plays songs by the Bay City Rollers, the Sex Pistols, the Fun Boy Three, and Sam Cook in his set list.
On Wednesdays, when he knows Mr. Johnson will be present for Prime Minister’s Questions, he performs frequently outside the palace. He also shows up on other days.
Although workers on the side of the Parliamentary estate facing his protest have complained about the noise, local authorities had been powerless to stop it until lately.
To combat disruptive “guerrilla protests,” new regulations now make it an offense to cause a public nuisance intentionally or carelessly.
A Sky News interview with former technology minister Chris Philp, who said he would return to government if necessary now that Mr. Johnson is standing down as the leader of the Conservative Party, was overshadowed by the Benny Hill theme today.
Mr. Philp, who abruptly announced his resignation, told Sky News that he was not looking for a job back but would not object to helping the Government if it required to carry legislation through the Commons.
I believe that everyone in public life is here to serve the country, and if I could do that in any way, I’d be pleased to serve, he said.
I would be willing to assist in any way I could, regardless of the leader, if requested to assist in advancing the Online Safety Bill through Parliament.
“I’m not requesting that” (his old post). I don’t anticipate it. I quit, and you will also resign whenever you do.
He added that he had not considered who would be the best replacement for Mr. Johnson.