Comedian Terry Noble, from Swindon who weighs 30 stone, came under fire following his appearance on This Morning yesterday, 3 November, when he said he couldn’t afford to eat healthily and that employers were ‘unsympathetic’ of his condition.
Terry describes himself as a ‘compulsive hoarder’ who lives off crisps and bread and claims a fortnightly payout, according to the show.
Terry told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that health problems including type 2 diabetes have made it near on impossible for him to work.
‘I’ve got health problems like feet ulcers,’ he explained. ‘And the diabetes can’t help it. As soon as I’m standing on my feet for long periods, the old feet ulcers break out so then I’m off sick.
‘It does make me angry because people do judge me. I’d love to work, I have in the past.’
Terry also insisted that while he had always tried to eat healthily, living on benefits meant he could only afford cheap junk food: ‘Fruit is so much more expensive than crisps and chocolate,’ he explained.
When Phillip Schofield suggested his future looked ‘quite bleak’ Terry replied: ‘It can be. It is worrying.’
Whilst Terry was featuring on This Morning yesterday, there was an online backlash happening against him on Twitter.
My ❤️ bleeds for this 30 stone unemployed person on #ThisMorning NOT! Stop blaming society & take responsibility for your own actions!!
— mrs janet mitchell ❤ (@v4jhm) November 3, 2016
#ThisMorning “30 stone and claiming benefits”, I’m not one to talk but it’s a disgrace.
— James (@JamesLeahy97) November 3, 2016
Not all comments on Twitter using the #ThisMorning were unsympathetic towards Terry.
#thismorning it’s about frame of mind, no one can help Terry except himself. If the mind isn’t focuses then terry will fail, #postivity
— Mike McCarthy (@mccarthy75_mike) November 3, 2016
Terry, appeared on last nights Channel 5 TV show “On Benefits: 30 stone and Claiming”.
How do you feel about Terry – Is he being harshly treated or do you think the online backlash is justified? Let us on know your thoughts on our Facebook Page.