Right Said Fred dismiss outrage over abuse of Chris Whitty
Right Said Fred have weighed in on social media outrage over a TikTok video of Professor Chris Whitty being verbally abused in the street.
Footage has surfaced of England’s chief medical officer repeatedly being called a “liar” as he appears to be queueing up at a food stall in London.
Pop duo Richard and Fred Fairbrass’s account replied to an MP’s tweet about the shocking nature of the video to say: “No one twisted his arm, he’s lucky to have a job, millions aren’t so fortunate.”
No one twisted his arm, he’s lucky to have a job, millions aren’t so fortunate.
— Right Said Fred (@TheFreds) February 2, 2021
When another Twitter user asked: “So coz he has a job it’s ok to abuse him? [sic]”
Right Said Fred replied: “I didn’t say that.”
Watch: Professor Chris Whitty abused in the street
The brothers continued to respond to comments in the thread, saying: “It’s only bizarre if you’re blind to the harm lockdowns are causing.”
The I’m Too Sexy singers also defended their right to voice and opinion on healthcare, saying: “Our contribution is we have volunteered and fundraiser for over 40 yrs for HIV, Crisis, Alzheimer’s, Royal Marsden Hospital, Asthma UK, Shelter, St Mungo’s, Stroke Association and GOSH and our local care home [sic].”
The Fairbrass brothers have previously insisted they are not “COVID deniers” after hitting the headlines for attending an anti-lockdown protest.
Right Said Fred were criticised in September 2020 when they were spotted at the protest in London’s Trafalgar Square.
But Fred told Sky News: “The protest was anti-lockdown. But it was more to do with save our rights and stand up for free speech and the right to assemble...
"My position is I'm not a COVID denier and I'm not anti-vax, but I defend those people's right to express their opinion. That's all it is.”
The pair also expressed their fears for the country amid the pandemic and restrictions.
"We either live like hermits and we kill the country we love, or we face up to the fact that some of us are going to die,” they said.
Read more: Taylor Swift credits Right Said Fred on new single
Brothers Richard, 62, and Fred, 57, formed Right Said Fred in the late 80s and had hits with I’m Too Sexy, Deeply Dippy and Don’t Talk Just Kiss.
They have continued to write and record music since their original chart success and in 2017 were credited as songwriters on Taylor Swift’s single Look What You Made Me Do, which features a reworking of I'm Too Sexy in the chorus.
Watch: Right Said Fred on why they attended an anti-lockdown protest