Bob Geldof has come under fire from a number of Hootenanny viewers after he and his Boomtown Rats bandmates saw out 2024 alongside Jools Hooland.
The 73-year-old managed to spark fierce debate on social media soon after taking to the stage thanks to a rather off-putting habit.
Fans were also quick to comment on Geldof’s appearance as he and his bandmates took over from Irish singer CMAT behind the mic.
Geldof and CMAT joined a wide range of musical talent on the night, including Kathy Sledge, Roger Taylor, JADE, and The Dead South.
“Thank you so much CMAT, I’ll be chatting to you later,” Holland said after CMAT’s first performance early in the show. “Next, they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year.
“I’m delighted to have them in this room. True legends of the popular music world. Please welcome, Boomtown Rats,” he added as Geldof and his bandmates geared up for a rendition of their hit She’s So Modern.
BBC Hootenanny: Bob Geldof performed with the Boomtown Rats
BBC
They later followed Taylor as the band returned to perform their hit Rat Trap and soon after, Geldof sat down with Holland for a chat.
Sitting alongside Taylor and Sledge, Holland asked the Boomtown Rats front-man what his plans for 2025 were, prompting the 73-year-old to dryly reply: “Well, I intend to be even more fabulous next year if it’s possible.”
Geldof continued: “(We’ll also) celebrate 50 years as one of the obviously global international mega rock bands of all time from County Dublin.
“Double album, you know, songs of Boomtown glory, perhaps a triple album. Who knows, maybe quadruple, there’s so many songs Jools, where do you end?”
BBC Hootenanny: Bob Geldof was chewing gum throughout the bash
BBC
Holland moved on to speak to Taylor and Sledge and while Geldof briefly returned to the show later to take a photo with CMAT’s mum, he then returned to close out the show with a rendition of Boomtown Rats’ I Don’t Like Mondays.
But while his performances appeared to go without a hitch, fans could not help but be distracted by Geldof “aggressively” chewing gum throughout the entire two-hour extravaganza.
As soon as he took to the stage for the first time, Geldof could be seen chomping on gum and throughout his chats with Holland, the behavioural habit didn’t subside.
The habit caused such an uproar among some BBC viewers that many took to social media to express how it had diverted their attention away from the music on show.
“Sir Bob Geldof, please stop chewing gum on #Hootenanny,” one fan pleaded on X while a second weighed in: “Wtf with the ridiculously aggressive gum chewing from Bob Geldof? #Hootenanny.”
Elsewhere, a third cheekily remarked: “Bob Geldof isn’t chewing gum, he’s breaking in a new set of dentures… #Hootenanny.”
BBC Hootenanny: Bob Geldof distracted fans with his habit
BBC
A fourth hit out: “Bob Geldof looks like an old man there chewing away on his tobacco. Got nothing interesting to say or sing… jade on the other hand is superb #hoootenanny.”
While a fifth harshly critiqued: “Geldof chewing and singing at the same time, failing at both. #Hootenanny.”
Geldof also came under fire for his outfit and appearance choice for the bash, with one viewer quipping: “I dunno why Bob Geldof always looks like he has just been defrosted from carbonite no matter what show he’s on #Hootenanny.”
However, there was some support for Geldof and the Boomtown Rats’ performance, with one X user arguing: “@BBCLater best show ever tonight in all the years we’ve watched. Bob Geldof amazing live.”
And a second similarly praised: “Got to give it to Bob Geldof, he still sounds amazing.” (sic)
