Over the last few weeks, there’s been some genuinely lovely moments of people coming together to support a good cause, like Clap For Carers and 99-year-old Captain Tom Moore’s NHS fundraiser reaching £12 million.
So wildlife presenter Ben Fogle probably thought he was on to something when he made a suggestion on
Twitter on Thursday morning.
With the Queen’s birthday next week, he tried to rally people on Twitter to sing a collective Happy Birthday to Her Maj from their doorsteps and windows.
“Let’s throw her a surprise,” he wrote. “Let our song bring good cheers not just to Her Majesty but to the whole nation #singforthequeen.”It’s the Queens birthday next Tuesday. Let’s throw her a surprise. At 9am 21st April, we are calling on the whole country to sing Happy Birthday from our windows and doorsteps. Let our song bring good cheer not just to Her Majesty but to the whole nation #singforthequeenpic.twitter.com/867EbD9PVg— Ben Fogle (@Benfogle) April 16, 2020While well-meaning, Ben probably wasn’t expecting the response he got on
Social Media.
Many noted how he hadn’t quite managed to read the room...people are either furloughed or working double time mate, if you think we're rising early to sing happy birthday to some old rich woman, whose family are isolating in separate palaces while the rest of us can't afford the rent on our damp bedrooms, i don't know what to tell you https://t.co/3Nw5qW0qLN— Kate Flood (@KateFlood) April 16, 2020In today's episode of 'Celebrities Not Reading The Room' we're joined by Ben Fogle. https://t.co/y7GGGGHTnA— Jack (@Firth_lar) April 16, 2020I think I'll pass on this, thanks. Our concern should be for the elderly people in care homes dying in large numbers, and those looking after them, not for an overprivileged woman hiding away in luxury with access to the best healthcare available. https://t.co/AkBH2VEtMT— Matthew McGee ⴵ 🌍🇪🇺🇬🇧🎭🎞📚 (@McGeeMatthew) April 16, 2020I have zero ill-will for the
British Queen - actually I respect her quite a bit - but I have NEVER and I mean NEVER had less interest, time, affection, mental space, personal regard or fucks to give about the
Royal Family. https://t.co/xlZ0iuQCpG— Maria Farrell (@mariafarrell) April 16, 2020People are dying, Ben. https://t.co/3kcIfMYztF— yt: keziah axelle (@kedouuuu) April 16, 2020Some reactions were a little more colourful...See you next Tuesday. https://t.co/cJozcYFOFp— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) April 16, 2020Good grief. What's next? Tap dance for Churchill? Cry wank for Thatcher? https://t.co/8bbaj9ZoZI— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) April 16, 2020This is a nice idea but I’m clapping for the PM at 0830, dancing for the
police at 9AM, jazz hands for the judiciary at 0930 and arm waving for the army at 10AM so no real time for this— Disappointed Optimist (@disappoptimism) April 16, 2020Am I the only person looking at the
UK now and thinking, the whole country has gone completely fucking mad? https://t.co/znzRLJYlCX— Tom Scorza (@TomScorza) April 16, 2020She's not going to shag you mate https://t.co/RWy68dSXAz— Joe Naan (@JoeWNaan) April 16, 2020alternatively, it's my birthday tomorrow if you want to sing happy birthday for a queen who earns their own money https://t.co/wbo5tA3spZ— Séancé (@MeltingSwans) April 16, 2020I have been on this site for 11 years in September and can confidently say that this is the worst tweet I have ever seen https://t.co/DoH8jdJejh— sianny devito (@PrincessDisiana) April 16, 2020She didnt wish me a happy birthday on
Facebook when it was mine.So I'm out. https://t.co/zQgMWkK5VH— Rees 'Speed Racer is a good movie' Finlay 🎭 (@reesytime) April 16, 2020Others noticed a fundamental flaw in his plan...Great idea Ben, but you've JUST TWEETED THE F*CKING SURPRISE https://t.co/R17ppBn1n8— ᔕᗩᗰ (@samcpr) April 16, 2020surprise ruined. nice one mate queens cryin https://t.co/72CaUYOWzN— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) April 16, 2020You've ruined the surprise well done. https://t.co/uqC4ykWBSO— barney farmer (@barneyfarmer) April 16, 2020There were suggestions of who else we could sing Happy Birthday to...It's Iggy Pop's birthday next Tuesday. Let's throw him a surprise. At 9am 21st April, we are calling on the whole country to blast Lust For Life at full volume from our windows and doorsteps. #lustforiggypophttps://t.co/Ko3eDDNWuC— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) April 16, 2020I support this idea but only because April 21 is *my* birthday https://t.co/gAqMjmySwS— Josh
Salisbury (@josh_salisbury) April 16, 2020And a warning to those who did participate...I am working the night before and if any of my neighbours do this I cannot be held responsible for my actions https://t.co/upqloMgduW— Ian Ford (@ij_ford) April 16, 2020Imagine finding out that you live in a neighbourhood where people throw open their windows to sing Happy Birthday to the Queen at nine in the fucking morning. https://t.co/Zl57Nltk5t— Hugh Brechin (@HughRBrechin) April 16, 2020That will be a firm “no”, then. Sorry Ben. READ MORE: Ben Fogle Is Donating His
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