The Chase’s Darragh Ennis urged his followers to put the word “civil” back into “civil disobedience” after witnessing fierce arguments over whether or not strike action against employers is acceptable. The 43-year-old entomologist, neuroscientist and TV quiz show star announced that he was on strike today via a photo published on Twitter.
The University and College Union (UCU), which represents over 120,000 staff members and academics, had announced 18 days of strikes over February and March as a reaction to current pay and pensions, plus intense workloads.
Darragh posted a photo of himself participating in the action to show solidarity with the cause, while placards raised in the background read: “On strike to win back my pension.”
It was clearly a controversial topic, as he then hastily returned to Twitter to add an additional plea to followers not to fight with one another.
“I would ask that everyone on here be civil to those that don’t agree with the strikes,” he urged.
READ NOW: Demi Moore’s ex Ashton Kutcher was ‘p****d’ about her memoir
@mazp12 added: “Sorry, strikes don’t get anyone anywhere, if we pay the teachers, nurses, firefighters, postal workers, train drivers etc and anyone else on strike determined to bring the country down, where is all this extra money coming from? Oh yes the taxes of really poorly paid people!”
Then @Lucymeghans chimed in: “If you teachers want to make a difference then don’t look at the pay, look at your high council tax and high petrol prices, which is swallowing up people’s salaries, go protest about these instead to your rich Tory parents.”
Fortunately for the Chaser, there were also plenty of fans who supported his right to strike.
One tweeter, @barley_roger, insisted: “Solidarity with all the strikers. This kind of action is what’s required – if it does not affect people’s lives it ain’t worth doing.”
Other fans rationalised that the majority of Brits were struggling in some way with the cost of living and declared the action justifiable.
DON’T MISS…
Carole Middleton’s ‘colourful party’ plans with Kate in £4.7m mansion [LATEST]
Alan Sugar blasts ‘exploitative’ employees working from home [DEBATE]
BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst defends guest Emily Atack post interview [INTERVIEW]
An international fan, @inthebarberry, praised: “Oh how I wish the US would do this. University staff, adjuncts, low paid govt staff and especially essential pandemic workers. THANK YOU.”
Meanwhile, @RoffeDave added: “Total kudos to you and all others prepared to make a stand today.”
Other fans used the opportunity of the post to enquire about whether Darragh had “ever” lost on The Chase, claiming they’d never seen it happen.
Yet he candidly admitted in reply: “I’ve lost spectacularly on occasion!”
For all the latest Entertainment News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
