Blind BBC star boycotts huge high street chain after | UK News

BBC reporter Gary O’Donoghue has vowed to boycott a major high street chain after a patronising comment made to him. Gary, who is Chief North America Correspondent for BBC News and the previous Chief Political Correspondent for London, says a member of workers told him he ought to always be accompanied by somebody when he goes outdoors, due to being blind.

In a tweet made on X, he alleged: “The branch of Boots on Great Portland Street has just told me that I should have someone with me when I come out as a blind person. When I objected to them telling me [how] to lead my life, they said it was for my own good. Unbelievable. Last time I go in there #Boots.”

Fans shortly rushed to help him, with one quipping: “I’d have smiled and replied, ‘Have you ever been to America? The next time you’re there, I’ll show you round the White House. I know it quite well’.”

Someone else fumed: “@BootsUK I really expect an apology to Gary, he literally navigates the world whilst blind, and I suggest the offending shop assistant is sent on a training course!”

Another said: “How rude of them, that’s very crap customer service!”

Boots did reply to Gary’s post, telling him: “Hi Gary, thank you for making us aware and we’re so sorry to hear of your experience. If you can please DM with more details then we can ensure this [is] investigated and addressed. Many thanks.”

Express.co.uk has contacted Boots for additional remark.

Gary was born partially sighted, but misplaced his imaginative and prescient utterly when he was just eight years outdated – that means he has been navigating the world as a blind man for many years.

He attended Worcester College for the Blind and performed blind soccer for England before attending Oxford University to examine philosophy and trendy languages.