GB News presenter Isabel Webster has clashed with The Apprentice star Ryan-Mark Parsons, after claiming William Shakespeare is "no longer relevant" to Gen Z.
This comes as today marks the start of Shakespeare Week, an annual celebration of the world famous writer which allows school children to study the playwright.
After 500 years, Shakespeare is still taught in British schools as a pillar of the British curriculum.
However, Parsons claimed there is an "argument to be had about whether Shakespeare is relevant in 2024".
Isabel Webster clashed with Ryan-Mark Parsons on the relevance of Shakespeare
GB News
Chairman of the Campaign for Real Education Chris McGovern was in disagreement with Parsons and stated that Shakespeare "is one of the few geniuses in the world" and is "worth studying".
Parsons argued back: "Let's just look at the language that he uses, it's extremely archaic. It's almost elitist, because you have to have studied his works in order to understand the plays in which he wrote.
"From a Gen Z point of view, I'm 23. I can't remember the last time my friends actually mentioned Shakespeare referenced Shakespeare."
GB News host Isabel Webster was infuriated by Parsons' argument and said his comments "make her want to tear her hair out".
Chairman of the Campaign for Real Education Chris McGovern said Shakespeare 'was a genius'
GB News
Webster fumed: "He survives for 500 years, and then the Gen Z's chuck it up the wall and say it's not relevant."
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She told Parsons: "You say no one mentions William Shakespeare amongst your friends, have you never used the phrase 'a heart of gold', 'breaking the ice', 'lying low', or 'wear my heart upon my sleeve', all of this is relevant in our modern language. He's enriched our language."
Co-host Eamonn Holmes was in disagreement and said Shakespeare is only relevant "if you know that you're quoting Shakespeare" in what you're referring to.
He added: "We don't know we're quoting him so therefore he's got no relevance."
Webster snapped back: "Well we certainly won't if the Gen Zs get rid of him!"
Isabel Webster says Gen Z has 'chucked Shakespeare up the wall' after 500 years
GB News
Chris McGovern, Chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said Shakespeare is "more relevant than ever" and "tells us about human nature".
McGovern explained: "Shakespeare tells us about human nature more than any other writer does.
"I think the fact that in China and Singapore, these leading economies around the world and great education systems, they still insist on teaching Shakespeare.
"It's really important that children are also stretched. Yes, the language can be difficult, but that's good because we need to stretch children.
"We need to present children with things which challenge them. Don't always make life easier for children."
