Good Morning Britain viewers had the same reaction as Richard Madeley tried roasted and minced cricket live in the studio. The presenter, 68, hosted Thursday’s edition of the ITV programme with Ranvir Singh, sharing the top headlines with viewers across the country. This included news that insect-based snacks are said to be the “food of the future” according to campaigners. They say insects such as crickets and ants are high in protein and micronutrients, meaning they can be part of a balanced and nutritious diet.
Those attending a conference at Nottingham University today will be told that they are sustainable and have real health benefits. Before testing out the taste of the crickets, Richard likened them to eating prawns. “My thinking on this is that if we didn’t eat prawns as a dish and suddenly someone said try eating prawns, most people would go, ‘Why would you want to eat that?’.
The broadcaster wasted no time in putting the cricket in his mouth before describing the surprisingly pleasant taste.
“The flavour is quite light, they’re sort of hollow,” he explained. “I’d say it tastes a little bit like a very mildly flavoured nut.”
The presenter declared there was “nothing revolting” about the item, adding: “There’s no back taste, nothing that makes you want to heave, in fact, I’d like a bit of salt on that.”
Richard then issued a warning to viewers: “If you have a shellfish allergy then you shouldn’t eat this stuff because organically there are similarities.”
He went on to try minced crickets, immediately declaring: “That is delicious.”
Despite the newsreader’s positive reaction to the insects, fans at home couldn’t hide their honest thoughts. “Disgusting,” one simply declared alongside a vomiting emoji.
Explaining why they were switching off, another posted: “This kind of c**p is the reason I no longer watch TV. Every now and again videos like this on twitter remind me that the brainwashed are still getting brainwashed. Switch the propoganda machines off for good.”
A third agreed: “Sorry Rich! You’re on your own there son!!!,” followed by a nauseated face emoji.
A fourth remarked: “I’m not eating bugs. I don’t give a s**t how many ppl push it. It’s not happening.”
Others agreed with Richard as one recounted: “When visiting Cambodia a few years ago I tried a curry that had fire ants in it. It was delicious. And not obvious at all that it contained ants – they looked like pepper.”