Russell Howard explains why he was swigging cider on morning TV

Russell Howard has shared the hilarious reason behind him drinking alcohol on morning TV, saying he was dared to do it in honour of his brother’s stag do.

The comedian had a chat with Lorraine Kelly on Good Morning Britain a little after 9am on Thursday, and viewers were shocked to see he was swigging from a can of cider despite the early hour.

Some even questioned whether quarantine was getting to him.

But Howard has now set the record straight, explaining on Instagram that he was dared to crack open the can on TV.

He wrote: “For all the people wondering why I was knocking back cider on breakfast tv. It was my meant to be my brothers stag do today so I was dared into it.

“I couldn’t let him down.”

People tuning in to the ITV show could not believe what they were seeing as the comic - who was speaking from his mum’s house where is in lockdown - sipped his drink while on camera.

“Did Russell Howard just take a swig of cider at 9.15 in the morning?!” asked one incredulous viewer on Twitter.

“Am I seeing this? Did Russell Howard just have a mouthful of cider????” asked another.

Many saw the funny side of the joke, with one person even suggesting he should be knighted.

Read more: Russell Howard under fire over joke

“It’s 12 o’clock somewhere!” joked another fan on social media, while one called Howard “a legend”.

“National hero right here,” quipped another.

“Good on you, I’ll have one for your brother’s stag do as well,” joked another.

Howard is known for television shows such as Russell Howard’s Good News and The Russell Howard Hour.