Eamonn Holmes has opened up about being bullied in school as he weighed in on how children should react to such incidents on Monday.
The 63-year-old presenter told viewers on GB News that he had ‘learned through experience’ that it’s better to ‘get the punch in first’.
His comments come after Bianca Austin, who is married to former Southampton striker Charlie Austin, divided the internet after she praised her teenage daughter for punching another student who had been calling her names, as exclusively reported by Mail on Sunday.
Speaking to his co-host Isabel Webster, Eamonn said: ‘I have to say that I have learned through experience and through school and growing up in a very tough Belfast, it’s better to punch … Get the punch in first.
‘You are doing your child no favour at all by saying, “Turn the other cheek” or “Just give in.”
Having his say: Eamonn Holmes has opened up about being bullied as he spoke to co-host Isabel Webster about how children should react to bullying at school on Monday
‘This is because the bullying doesn’t go away and I will say this to anyone, it’s there in the workplace as well all the time.
‘If someone knows you are not going to stand for it then you are less likely to get it.’
Isabel cut in to say disagree, saying: ‘I think there’s a difference if your kid is being punched. I would say, ‘Punch back and stand up for yourself.’
‘But I wouldn’t say if there was a situation where they had been bullying you, that you should just go up to them and lamp them in the face.
‘I wouldn’t agree with that because that can get your child expelled and that would have consequences for your outcomes in life.’
Eamonn agreed with this but added: ‘Remember, if you are going to hit someone…’
Isabel finished: ‘Do it properly.’
On Saturday, the wife of a top footballer ignited a debate over using violence to retaliate against child bullies after praising her teenage daughter for punching one in the face.
Experience: The 63-year-old presenter told viewers on GB News that he had ‘learned through experience’ that it’s better to ‘get the punch in first’
Support: His comments come after Bianca Austin, who is married to former Southampton striker Charlie Austin, divided the internet after she praised her teenage daughter for punching a bully (Charlie and Bianca pictured)
Austin in action for Queens Park Rangers against Reading in the EFL Sky bet Championship
Mrs Austin, 35, tweeted: ‘After numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing, today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face. Proud mum’
As reported by the Mail On Sunday, Mrs Austin, 35, tweeted: ‘After numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing, today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face. Proud mum.’
Her post, seen by 1.9 million users of the social media site, had two clapping emojis to back her daughter, who is studying for GCSEs.
Mother-of-three Mrs Austin’s admission prompted much debate among her 11,000 followers, with many backing her belligerence.
One wrote back: ‘Good on her, she did exactly what was needed to be done. Shame on the school though for not sorting the bullying out when you first called them.’
Another said: ‘I’m generally a pacifist but the best bit of advice I was ever given was that you don’t let bullies get away with it.
‘Ignoring it didn’t work; ignoring a fire doesn’t put it out. If you are bullied, fight. If you see someone being bullied, fight for them.’
But Mrs Austin, who is training to be a nurse, was criticised by others. One said: ‘Your daughter should not be hitting anyone, ever. I get that bullying is awful and harmful but when I said your daughter’s actions would make things worse, you can now see where I was going. Bullying someone “back” by hitting is also bullying.’
Mrs Austin replied: ‘I’d be interested to hear how you’d suggest a resolution to the bullying, Michelle.
‘School couldn’t stop it, it was wrecking her mental health and affecting her GCSE studies, what is the right course of action here?! Also she didn’t “bully” back.
‘Bullying is repeated behaviour intended to hurt someone emotionally and physically. She has no intent of malice, all she wants is to be left alone to quietly enjoy school!’
Mrs Austin, whose husband, 33, has been in the England squad but now plays for League Two Swindon, also shared details of how her daughter was allegedly punished more severely than the girl who was bullying her.
Proud mum: Her post, seen by 1.9 million users of the social media site, had two clapping emojis to back her daughter, who is studying for GCSEs
She told how she called the school to find out what punishment her daughter’s rival was given.
She wrote: ‘********* is in school exclusion at the moment while the other child is in class. I asked what sanction she [the bully] would be receiving and was told she was only verbally abusive but other students’ sanctions are not allowed to be discussed with me, so who knows.’
Mrs Austin later shared more about the bully’s punishment, while taking a swipe at the school by writing: ‘Two days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was “only” verbally abusive. No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools… head high *********.’
The National Bullying Helpline says if parents and carers do not think teachers are taking satisfactory action, they should contact their local authority to remind it that it has a ‘statutory duty’ to ensure all children in schools are safe at all times.
