Jeremy Hunt narrowly avoided walloping a woman with a bell in Olympics stunt

06 March 2024 , 11:00

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The politician has had his fair share of awkward encounters (Image: BBC/AFP via Getty Images)

Let's hope the Chancellor's Spring budget doesn't leave him as red-faced as his infamous Olympic blunder.

Today, Jeremy Hunt will deliver what could be the last budget before a general election is called. It is believed the Tory MP is under growing pressure to cut taxes in a bid to regain the support of questioning conservative voters. However - such a policy could put even more pressure on crumbling public services, including the NHS.

The Chancellor, who replaced Kwasi Kwarteng following the disastrous mini budget under Lizz Truss' record-short stint, will defy polls if he unveils the tax cut, as the majority want taxes to stay the same or even increase to boost bodies such as the already-strained NHS. Either way, Mr Hunt will always be haunted by an Olympic blunder where he almost hit a woman with a bell...

Mr Hunt almost caused chaos at an event back in 2012

Back in 2012 when he was the UK's Culture Secretary, the politician attended an event on the deck of HMS Belfast in London, as the city was hosting the Olympic Games. But as the minister was shaking a bell amidst swathes of sporting fans, the brass end flew off the wooden handle and shot through the air.

Mr Hunt looked gobsmacked as Sky News reporters filmed the blunder. He said: "Oh, oh dear! Are you all right? Health and safety!" Luckily, nobody was hit by the flying bell, as Mr Hunt added: "Are you OK? There we are, disaster averted."

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The brass part of the bell went flying into the air

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The Tory MP later joked about the near-miss, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter): "Oops bell broke taking part in Martin Creed's ringing in of the Games...no one hurt but classic #twentytwelve moment."

According to Belfast Telegraph, the politician later described the accident as a 'clanger', telling the BBC: "I was ringing my bell in a very excited way and it collapsed in my hand and went flying off. I had my very own 2012 moment. It was a clanger, if you'll forgive the pun."

Liam Gilliver