Britain Remains Deeply Unserious As People Campaign For “Hot Podium Guy” To Be The Next PM

22 Jun 2026, 10:31 by Becca Monaghan · BuzzFeed

It’s official: Keir Starmer has resigned.

After delivering a tearful speech outside 10 Downing Street and outlining what happens next, months of speculation, rumours and political pressure have finally come to an end. But while Westminster was focused on the future of the country, parts of the internet were focused on something else entirely: the return of the man they've affectionately dubbed the "Hot Podium Guy".

Because while politicians come and go, Britain's commitment to being deeply unserious remains undefeated. Sound engineer Tobias Gough has become an unlikely internet star thanks to his habit of appearing just before some of the biggest political bombshells of the last decade.

Sky News

His first viral moment came back in 2019, when eagle-eyed viewers spotted him setting up ahead of Theresa May's resignation speech. The attention quickly spiralled online, leaving Gough somewhat baffled by his newfound fanbase.

At the time, he told MailOnline that he "isn't model material".

"I have to say it was great lighting to make me look that good, the sun must have been at the right angle,” he joked. "I can assure people that I don't usually look as well as that, I won't going to be going into the modelling business just yet."

Since then, Gough has become Britain's most unexpected political omen, also appearing before the resignation announcements of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

So when viewers tuning into Starmer's speech spotted a glimpse of him setting up the podium, many immediately suspected they knew exactly where things were heading.

As it turns out, they were right.

🚨 NEW: The "Hot Podium Guy" has arrived at No 10 pic.twitter.com/lFKeSF1itc
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 22, 2026

Via x.com

Inevitably, the internet reacted in the only way it knows how: by welcoming Gough back like a returning national treasure and campaigning for him to become PM.

Only the UK would have a designated hot guy who brings out the podium when our PMs resign
— Dylan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇵🇸🇺🇦 (@Crimb1eCrumb1e) June 22, 2026

Via x.com

Men want to be him,
Women want to be with him.
Make him PM.
Make him Bond.
Get him on Celebrity Traitors.
Let him host Strictly.

Hot Podium Guy is the hero Britain needs. pic.twitter.com/0MH2xE1sy7
— Save Station Street, Birmingham (@OldStationSt) June 22, 2026

Via x.com

Hot podium guy getting ready for his biennial walk out pic.twitter.com/HkehtuZOcx
— James Heale (@JAHeale) June 22, 2026

Via x.com

If I wasn’t running myself, I’d suggest this guy as PM. Cut out the middle man. pic.twitter.com/MxacDnicls
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) June 22, 2026

Via x.com

Just let ‘Hot Podium guy’ be the new prime minister. He’s really the only one who has stuck with us over the last few years!!
— ThisIsMeUK (@ThisIsMeUK1) June 22, 2026

Via x.com

During Starmer’s speech, he reflected on his time in office, describing his nearly two years as prime minister as the “proudest moment of [his] life”.

He also took a moment to thank “the brilliant Number 10 staff and our country’s extraordinary Civil Service who dedicate their lives to public service” for their work behind the scenes.

Looking ahead to life after Downing Street, Starmer said his focus would now shift away from politics and towards his family.

“I shall spend more time on the most important job – being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”

Britain Remains Deeply Unserious As People Campaign For “Hot Podium Guy” To Be The Next PM

It’s official: Keir Starmer has resigned.

Because while politicians come and go, Britain's commitment to being deeply unserious remains undefeated. Sound engineer Tobias Gough has become an unlikely internet star thanks to his habit of appearing just before some of the biggest political bombshells of the last decade.

His first viral moment came back in 2019, when eagle-eyed viewers spotted him setting up ahead of Theresa May's resignation speech. The attention quickly spiralled online, leaving Gough somewhat baffled by his newfound fanbase.

At the time, he told MailOnline that he "isn't model material".

"I have to say it was great lighting to make me look that good, the sun must have been at the right angle,” he joked. "I can assure people that I don't usually look as well as that, I won't going to be going into the modelling business just yet."

Since then, Gough has become Britain's most unexpected political omen, also appearing before the resignation announcements of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

So when viewers tuning into Starmer's speech spotted a glimpse of him setting up the podium, many immediately suspected they knew exactly where things were heading.

As it turns out, they were right.

Inevitably, the internet reacted in the only way it knows how: by welcoming Gough back like a returning national treasure and campaigning for him to become PM.

During Starmer’s speech, he reflected on his time in office, describing his nearly two years as prime minister as the “proudest moment of [his] life”.

He also took a moment to thank “the brilliant Number 10 staff and our country’s extraordinary Civil Service who dedicate their lives to public service” for their work behind the scenes.

Looking ahead to life after Downing Street, Starmer said his focus would now shift away from politics and towards his family.

“I shall spend more time on the most important job – being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”

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