George Hook? Give him a break!
I have not always been a fan of George Hook. But I have listened to his show on Newstalk for a good few years and perhaps its a sign of middle age but there are days when I have nodded along in agreement. George is a colourful character who many many love to hate in the same way they love to hate Eamon Dunphy. Both have hollowed out a career in pulling bigger crowds for after match punditry then the matchs themselves. Fair play to them I say and thereâs more than a bit of playing to the crowd in that strategy. But its exactly that strategy that have put poor old George in the spotlight this week as he momentarily broke down on LIVE radio and gave an insight into ther hate mail he has been receiving. We all think these guys are bullet proof. Tough TV and Radio proâs who can take a bit of harmless slagging? But in Georgeâs case it hasnt been harmless and the strain of a barage of hatemail some of which has been sent directly to his home is a step way way over the line. Â George by all account has had a colourful past where misadventures in business and loans to friends he couldnt replay all caught up with him and left him fighting to keep a roof over his head. Â In a rare and touching dropping of his steely guard he gave an insight in the pressures facing alot of people in the public and in the limelight these days. George is not the only one feeling the pressure but he is doing it publically and constantly. Lots of the faceless nameless trolls are calling for his retirement but for all they know George simply needs the work. Or he needs to be kept busy. Or he needs to keep a sense of worth and dignity. Whatever it is - who the hell has the right to send him hatemail, wish him dead and harrass him with vile letters to his home. The danger of 24 social media (and as an avid user I should know) are that the constant pressure and stress it applies to people on the receiving end. Imagine if George couldnt pay his mortgage, imagine if he ows a shedload of debt, imagine if his family dont talk to him. I honestly dont know his personal circumstances. But then imagine you heap hatemail all on top of a guy who is in his seventies and is a public figure. He is someones father, husband and grandfather after all. He is a guy trying to make a living and keep a sense of pride. He is a guy who has more of life behind him than ahead of him. He is a guy that needs a break. So as George would say in his famous catchphrase âGimme a break - What say you?â
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George would say in his famous catchline âGimme a breakâ.Â
















