'Hot Podium Guy' returns to 10 Downing Street as Keir Starmer resigns as UK PM
As cameras gathered outside Number 10 Downing Street ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's resignation speech, social media users quickly spotted 'Hot Podium Guy' wheeling out the lectern.
British politics may have witnessed another dramatic resignation, but for a sizeable corner of the internet, there was only one question: Has Hot Podium Guy returned?
The answer, to the delight of his fans, was yes.
As cameras gathered outside Number 10 Downing Street ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's resignation speech, social media users quickly spotted a familiar face wheeling out the lectern.
That face belonged to Tobias Gough, the Downing Street sound engineer who has somehow become one of the most recognisable figures in British politics without ever delivering a speech himself.
Within minutes, Hot Podium Guy was trending again.
For the uninitiated, Gough first went viral in 2019 ahead of former Prime Minister Theresa May's resignation speech. While May was preparing to announce one of the biggest moments of her premiership, viewers became distracted by the technician calmly testing microphones and setting up the podium outside Number 10.
The internet did what it does best.
See the tweets here:
Social media users christened him "Hot Podium Guy", and a meme was born. Gough later laughed off the attention, joking that he was "not model material" and crediting good lighting for much of the reaction.
Since then, his appearances have become an unlikely tradition during moments of political upheaval.
Gough has been spotted before Boris Johnson's resignation speech, Liz Truss's departure from Downing Street and Rishi Sunak's first address as prime minister. Over time, social media users began treating his arrival as an unofficial warning that major political news was about to break.
His actual job is considerably less dramatic. As a sound engineer, Gough is responsible for testing microphones, setting up equipment and ensuring speeches run smoothly.
But that has done little to dent his cult status online.
For many social media users, the appearance of a podium outside Number 10 means one thing. The appearance of Tobias Gough means something much bigger.
British politics is about to have another day to remember.
British politics may have witnessed another dramatic resignation, but for a sizeable corner of the internet, there was only one question: Has Hot Podium Guy returned?
The answer, to the delight of his fans, was yes.
As cameras gathered outside Number 10 Downing Street ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's resignation speech, social media users quickly spotted a familiar face wheeling out the lectern.
That face belonged to Tobias Gough, the Downing Street sound engineer who has somehow become one of the most recognisable figures in British politics without ever delivering a speech himself.
Within minutes, Hot Podium Guy was trending again.
For the uninitiated, Gough first went viral in 2019 ahead of former Prime Minister Theresa May's resignation speech. While May was preparing to announce one of the biggest moments of her premiership, viewers became distracted by the technician calmly testing microphones and setting up the podium outside Number 10.
The internet did what it does best.
See the tweets here:
Social media users christened him "Hot Podium Guy", and a meme was born. Gough later laughed off the attention, joking that he was "not model material" and crediting good lighting for much of the reaction.
Since then, his appearances have become an unlikely tradition during moments of political upheaval.
Gough has been spotted before Boris Johnson's resignation speech, Liz Truss's departure from Downing Street and Rishi Sunak's first address as prime minister. Over time, social media users began treating his arrival as an unofficial warning that major political news was about to break.
His actual job is considerably less dramatic. As a sound engineer, Gough is responsible for testing microphones, setting up equipment and ensuring speeches run smoothly.
But that has done little to dent his cult status online.
For many social media users, the appearance of a podium outside Number 10 means one thing. The appearance of Tobias Gough means something much bigger.
British politics is about to have another day to remember.
