Former 'Apprentice' contestant calls the elderly 'lazy' on 'GMB'
Former Apprentice contestant Ryan-Mark Parsons suggested that old people are “lazy” during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
Parsons made the comment when he appeared on the ITV show alongside journalist Nina Myskow after Sir Vince Cable suggested we need to get fit, elderly people back into work.
Myskow said older people had earned the right to quit working, but 21-year-old Parsons chimed in: “There are loads of opportunities out there for the elderly to get up and switch off Coronation Street, catch-up on ITV Hub, and get out and work!"
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Myskow, 75, was unimpressed and said people who had been paying in for all those years had won the right to reap the benefits.
Commentator @ryanmarkparsons believes there is an opportunity for older people to return to work.
He says older people can 'help boost the economy'
What do you think?
Watch GMB 👉 https://t.co/6iQ6ebeOEQ pic.twitter.com/r9NLDQdrDM— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) December 10, 2021
“I have been paying taxes for 55 years. You've been paying for what, two years?" she asked.
Parsons responded: “Nina, Nina, you are making excuses for the elderly being lazy.”
The TV star’s comments triggered anger among many viewers, with some heading to Twitter to share their thoughts.
One person posted: “He’s 21, at 21 you think you’re going to live forever. Absolutely clueless about how life/work takes its toll as you get older on both mind and body and to cite older people as lazy is incredulous!”
Another said Parsons has caused “offence and upset”.
“Life has a greater purpose than just making money,” tweeted one person. “Our contribution to life & our self-worth is not solely the money we make!”
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Parsons appeared on Alan Sugar’s series in 2019, when he was only 19 and the youngest contestant to go on the show.
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