Social media customers name for return of Downing Street ‘scorching podium man’
He’s the man who melted hearts with his ‘sexy’ Downing Street swagger when he set up the lectern for Liz Truss’ exit speech.
And now social media users have swooned as ‘hot podium guy’ made a return to Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon as Rishi Sunak called a snap election.
While many eagerly awaited details of the summer election, others had their hopes (and heart rates) raised by the arrival of one familiar face.
Tobias Gough – more commonly known as ‘hot podium guy’ – has made social media go wild again after he returned to set up the podium – this time in a North Face jacket.
Earlier today, he became the subject of a string of tweets on X questioning whether he would be making an appearance.
Social media users swooned as hot podium guy returned to Downing Street lectern setting-up duties
Tobias Gough, in his early 40s, has an army of supporters who swoon over his short on-screen appearances during the major speeches of several prime ministers
The hunky ‘hot podium guy’ sets social media ablaze every time he is seen on the nation’s screens
Social media users took to X to call on the return of the ‘hot podium guy’ as rumours of an upcoming general election surfaced
Once again, ‘hot podium guy’ set hearts racing across the nation as the beloved hunk stepped into the limelight again
One social media user, Lizzie, wrote on X: ‘Hope we get to see the Hot Podium Guy again.’
Another wrote: ‘Just think, at this very moment hot podium guy could be picking out his tightest t-shirt, ready to thrill us all for several minutes on Downing Street.’
Gough threw admirers into a frenzy when he placed the Downing Street lectern and did a sound check during Liz Truss‘s departure in October 2022.
The simple act – so crucial in speech scenarios – meant Liz Truss was able to make her leaving remarks and depart No 10 for good.
Mr Gough became known as the ‘hot podium guy’ after becoming a mainstay in the entrance and exits of UK Prime Ministers, with Twitter users admiring his ‘tight’ black t-shirt and muscled arms
Social media soon became flooded with people anticipating the return of the ‘sexy’ podium guy
Like a conquering King or Queen, the man in his 40s from Longfield, Kent, inspired utter devotion as he took the podium out of the door and left it on the ground before leaving.
Now, his army of supporters are eagerly hoping he will return to their TV screens to place the lectern in front of No 10.
Dave Jones wrote on X: ‘Has the hot Downing Street podium guy been spotted yet? #GeneralElection’
Meanwhile another joked on social media: ‘Hot podium guy being retrieved from whatever cupboard they keep him in between prime ministers.’
Mr Gough first came to attention during Theresa May’s final speech at PM in July 2019, earning a score of admirers online.
He has since returned several times including for Boris Johnson’s resignation speech in July 2022, much to the delight of fans.
Before Boris Johnson addressed the nation to announce his resignation as Prime Minister in July, ‘Podium Guy’ fans called on him to step into the breach: ‘I vote that we keep ‘Podium Guy’ on as interim and let Boris leave today,’ said one on Twitter.
In 2019, Mr Gough revealed his surprise at the attention he had received, telling MailOnline at the time that he ‘isn’t model material’.
He said: ‘I have to say it was great lighting to make me look that good, the sun must have been at the right angle.
Many people swooned over Mr Gough on Twitter in July of 2022. One even joked: ‘Nothing marks big political events in Britain like the return of hot podium guy’
‘I can assure people that I don’t usually look as well as that – I won’t going to be going into the modelling business just yet.
‘I’m 36 so I think my best days may be well behind me.
‘But it’s been very funny reading all the comments on social media.
Mr Gough married wife Tina just two weeks before the chaos of the pandemic in May 2019, in a quiet ceremony in Scotland.
At the time, he said: ‘I’ve not spoken to her yet and I’m wondering the reaction I’m going to get but she’s messaged and taken in it all in good spirits.’
Meanwhile, Wife Tina contacted MailOnline in May 2019 to shut down the hopes of his many admirers on social media, to say: ‘He’s my husband!’.
In July 2022, Mr Gough confirmed to MailOnline that the couple are still happily married.
