‘Hot Podium Guy’ is back at Downing Street as Keir Starmer announces resignation

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation means one thing – Hot Podium Guy was also back.

Ahead of his highly anticipated speech outside Downing Street this morning, the PM’s lectern was placed before the press pit by Tobias Gough, the sound engineer who has acquired quite the following in recent years.

He’s been spotted on screens on several occasions, helping to set up for some of the most significant moments in British political history, including the resignation announcements of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

And as tearful Labour leader Starmer confirmed that he would be stepping down, there was, of course, only one person who could return.

‘Hot Podium guy is here. That means it’s official’, tweeted an excited @superTV247, while others joked that ‘maybe he’s taking over’ the country’s leadership.

Mr Gough first reached meme status in 2019 when Theresa May resigned. His most recent cameo came in 2024 following Rishi Sunak’s first address and the announcement of a general election.

Essentially, he’s the unofficial harbinger of UK political news – when you see him, you know it’s serious.

And indeed, today, it was, as Starmer solemnly accepted that he was not best placed to lead the government moving forward.

Reflecting on his stint as PM, which began in July 2024, Starmer said his party had asked ‘whether [he is] best placed to lead us into the next general election’.

‘I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace,’ he stated.

Starmer’s decision to call it a day means Labour will now hold a contest to choose his successor, with Andy Burnham seen as the frontrunner.

‘A new leader will be in place before Parliament returns in September,’ Starmer informed the nation. ‘I will remain in post until the contest is complete.’