Eamonn Holmes mocks Keir Starmer over Labour leader's 'ridiculous' Lionesses demand

Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster

Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster discuss the Lionesses

GB NEWS
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 21/08/2023

- 09:29

Updated: 22/08/2023

- 07:49

The Lionesses missed out on World Cup glory on Sunday after a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Spain

While the Lionesses narrowly missed out on lifting the World Cup for the very first time, the England Women's team will undoubtedly receive a hero's welcome upon their return home.

Olga Carmona's 29th-minute strike was enough to send Sarina Wiegman's team home empty-handed as even goalkeeping heroics from Mary Earps couldn't spur the Lionesses on to glory.


Nevertheless, the Lionesses have faced calls to receive honour after honour once they return home from Australia, with some even calling for damehoods to be granted to the squad.

One such call came from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer who said of the Lionesses: "The Lionesses have galvanised the whole nation through their historic achievement in becoming the first England team to make the World Cup final.

"But they've also inspired a generation of women and girls to play football, take up sport, and to remove any doubt in their minds that they too can go all the way in their chosen field.

"There's no doubt that they should be recognised by the honours system," he added.

But it's clear not everyone feels the same way as Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster discussed the World Cup defeat on Monday's Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel.

Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster with Paul Coyte

Eamonn Holmes mocked Keir Starmer's calls for damehoods to be given to the Lionesses

GB NEWS

"I'm still so sad about it, it was such a shame," Webster began before Holmes cut in: "So it's sad! It was a football match, they lost it! That was it, move on."

"It was history!" Webster protested as she rolled her eyes at her co-star's take before Holmes replied: "They still get medals for it."

"So you weren't disappointed?" Webster probed which prompted Holmes to remark: "Look... I was more disappointed at Man United's abysmal display against Spurs!

Webster let out a laugh before introducing sports reporter Paul Coyte onto the show who disagreed with Holmes' stance on the Lionesses.

WATCH THE MOMENT HERE: 

"You know what, I think you're being a bit rough on them there," Coyte told Holmes. "I mean it's the World Cup final! It's a huge event for us.

"It's the World Cup final, of course you're gonna get you medals for second.

"England have done very well and of course you're gonna get a lot of..." he continued before Holmes interjected to raise Starmer's quotes on the team.

Mocking the Labour leader, Holmes could barely keep a straight face as he said: "Keir Starmer's talking about giving them all..."

Holmes then broke out into laughter before eventually highlighting Starmer's comments.

Chloe Kelly and Lauren James

Chloe Kelly and Lauren James at the end of England's World Cup defeat

PA

"There's still people from '66 who haven't got medals!" Holmes added as he rubbished Starmer's remarks, something Coyte actually found himself agreeing with Holmes.

"See when we talk about that, I think it's ridiculous," Coyte agreed. "If that happens when someone's career is still continuing... 'I know, let's give them a damehood or let's give them a knighthood', because the thing is, there's no consistency in that."

Coyte then brought up the fact Rebecca Adlington wasn't made a dame following her Olympics glory for being too young and an active athlete in the world of swimming,

The Lionesses have already began their journey home from Australia following their defeat in Sydney on Sunday.

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