THE Circle fans were left in hysterics this evening when Zoe Ball and Fatboy Slim’s son Woody Cook unknowingly flirted with Richard Madeley.
The Channel 4 show’s second series launched earlier this week, and follows a group of strangers who have taken on the identity of their choice as they communicate solely through an internal hub called The Circle.
Richard, 63, was a late arrival to the competition, with viewers voting for him to take part as a 27-year-old blonde called Judy, named after his famous wife.
He was given the opportunity to send three other competitors a gift during tonight’s episode, with 18-year-old Woody receiving a doughnut tree.
The teen then initiated a private chat with ‘Judy’ to thank her for the doughnuts – and it wasn’t long before things got flirty.
Unknowingly speaking to TV legend Richard, Woody messaged: “Hey, how are you doing this morning? Just wanted to say another thank you for the gift, and see how you are settling in (the first day is the hardest).”
Richard, as Judy, replied: “Ah, thanks babe. You do look a bit of a babe, unless you’ve got fat off all those doughnuts haha.”
Woody hit back: “Takes one to know one, just wondering why you chose me.”
‘Judy’ said: “A sweet treat for a sweet-looking boy.”
Getting carried away, the teen boy said: “I have gotta say, I love your profile picture.
“Is it worth going to Venice? I hear it’s magical.”
He continued: “Can I just say, Venice isn’t the only thing beautiful in that photo.”
Richard shook his head as he muttered: “Woody, Woody, Woody – if only you knew.”
Bringing an end to the shenanigans, the TV veteran added: “I think I better make this a sign off now, the flirting has gone far enough.”
Woody then admitted: “I really hope she isn’t a catfish, if she is I have fallen into the trap and I am about to be chomped.”
The cringe-worthy moment soon had viewers laughing at the TV, with one tweeting: “Still processing Richard Madeley catfishing Zoe Ball’s son.”
Another wrote: “Fatboy Slim’s son is getting horny over Richard Madeley pretending to be a 27-year-old woman named after his current wife. This is peak British TV.”
A third added: “Woody seems genuine. Though it is funny but also sad that he is flirting with Richard Madeley.”
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Neither of Woody’s famous parents have commented on the moment, although Zoe did previously share her pride for her son signing up to the show.
Ahead of its Tuesday night launch, she gushed: “Good luck to my best boy on his adventure on @C4TheCircle Proud mamalady”.
Speaking out before entering The Circle, Woody said: “My parents do know I’m doing the show and they are supportive. They have given me a lot to think about from past experiences, and advice.
“They said that what you say on TV is out there forever and you can’t unsay it and that once you share too much you never unshare it.”
Meanwhile, Richard is not eligible to win the programme’s £100,000 prize fund but has been invited to take part in a bid to cause mischief among the actual contestants.
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