To the joy of social media, the attractive sound engineer who drove the internet into a frenzy when he assisted set up at 10 Downing Street before Theresa May’s resignation address is back for Boris Johnson’s speech this afternoon.
Tobias Gough, 39, of Longfield, Kent, earned a following of adoring followers after Twitter users flocked to his tight black t-shirt and chiseled arms prior to Theresa May’s departure address in 2019.
He was given the nickname “podium guy.”
And today, Mr. Gough returned when Boris Johnson announced his resignation as UK prime minister, while the sound engineer and his two assistants carried the black podium and set it in front of Number 10’s entrance.
Many users gushed over the man with brown hair on Twitter this afternoon. One wrote: “Waiting for #podiumguy to make his cameo appearance for the final ep of the season… ”
One even made light of Mr. Gough’s potential for a career in cinema and television, joking that his talent (or good looks) wouldn’t be wasted on a mere five minutes of fame: Soon, that podium man will have a profile on IMDB.
Tina, his wife, contacted MailOnline in May 2019 to deflate the expectations of his numerous followers on social media by announcing: “He’s my husband!”
And Mr. Gough today assured MailOnline that the couple is still in a loving marriage.
He also showed up for Theresa May’s farewell speech as prime minister in July 2019, impressing social media followers by donning a pair of shorts.
Fans of “Podium Guy” urged Boris Johnson to fill the void before he faced the nation to announce his resignation as prime minister:
One user tweeted this afternoon, “I vote that we retain “Podium Guy” on as an interim and let Boris depart today.”
Another commenter said: “Good to see podium guy is still in good shape. Hello indeed,” was followed by a few emojis for tense laughter.
Another person wrote on Twitter, “The handsome guy that did the “check 123″ on the podium outside 10 Downing made it all worthwhile.”
“Nothing marks important political events in Britain like the return of hot podium guy,” observed Craig Crowther.
Someone else remarked, “Podium folks are on pointe once more.”
Mr. Gough expressed surprise at the attention he had attracted in 2019, telling MailOnline that he ‘isn’t model material’ at the time.
I have to admit that the lighting was excellent; the sun must have been at the perfect angle for me to look that nice.
I can assure everyone that my appearance is not often as good; I have no plans to start a modeling career just yet.
I’m 36, therefore I believe that my prime may be long gone.
But reading the replies on social media has been hilarious.
My phone has been flooded with amusing texts from relatives and friends all day.
Some of my friends have suggested that I model for a 2020 calendar, which has made me chuckle a lot.
In my 15 years in the company, I must have performed these sound checks hundreds of times, and each time, everything went according to plan.
Prior to the Prime Minister’s resignation statement, I check to make sure all the mics are properly connected.
A half-hour or so later, I’m making the news.
“People are endorsing me and nominating me to be prime minister.
It’s been a really flattering, though humorous, day, that much is certain.
Just two weeks prior to the turmoil in May 2019, Mr. Gough wed Tina in a low-key ceremony in Scotland.
He continued, “I haven’t spoken to her yet, and I’m worried what response I’m going to get, but she messaged and seemed to be taking everything in good humor.
Today, Boris Johnson finally announced his retirement, acknowledging that “no-one is indispensable,” but he is also putting together a “unity Cabinet” in an effort to extend his time in Downing Street.
The Prime Minister attempted to use a positive tone in a statement from Downing Street as he acknowledged that his MPs ‘obviously’ desire a change and that his term in power will expire when a new Tory leader is elected.