Joe Thomas, the actor famous for playing Simon Cooper in the hit sitcom The Inbetweeners, has unleashed a blistering critique of football legend Sir David Beckham. The 42-year-old star has accused Beckham of 'virtue signalling' over his decision to queue with the public to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Podcast Rant That Started It All
Appearing as a special guest on the Where There's a Will There's a Wake podcast with host Mel Giedroyc, Thomas did not hold back. The conversation turned to the period in September 2022 following the Queen's death, when hundreds of thousands of people, including celebrities, lined up to see her lying in state at Westminster Hall.
While Beckham was widely praised at the time for waiting for over 12 hours and refusing preferential treatment, Thomas revealed he was deeply unimpressed. 'I liked the Queen, but that queue was f***ing unbearable,' Thomas began, laughing. When asked by Giedroyc if he had joined the queue himself, he confirmed he had not.
'He Knows It Looks Good!'
Thomas then directly targeted Beckham's motives. '[No], and then Beckham queued like everyone else, and you're like, "Yes, because he knows that it looks good! You idiots!" He knows he's gonna get recognised,' the actor stated. He argued that the former England captain was fully aware his public display would generate positive headlines and public admiration.
Host Mel Giedroyc offered a defence of Beckham, suggesting he looked 'cute' in his baker boy hat and that it was 'quite a good move'. However, Thomas remained steadfast in his opinion, simply repeating: 'It was virtue signalling. The whole thing was virtue signalling.'
Controversial Defence of Holly and Phil
Giedroyc then challenged Thomas on what alternative action Beckham should have taken, referencing the heavy criticism faced by TV presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for their 'Queue Gate' incident, where they were accused of skipping the line.
Thomas's response was surprising. 'No – but, in a way, yeah. At least [Holly and Phil] were honest. It was just one big f***ing j**k-off, that thing. That's all it was. It was!' This comment suggested he viewed their approach as more transparent than what he perceived as Beckham's calculated public relations exercise.
Beckham's own explanation, given to ITV News while in the queue in 2022, was that he was there to pay his respects due to his upbringing as a 'huge Royalist' by his grandparents, calling it a 'special moment' to remember the Queen's incredible legacy.
The actor's comments have since sparked a mixed reaction from listeners, with some defending his right to an opinion and others questioning his criticism of a seemingly respectful act.
