A former Apprentice star has caused a stir on social media after calling solo diners "pathetic" who need to make friends. Earlier this week, Good Morning Britain delved into the divisive topic of solo dining which saw Ryan Mark Parsons go head-to-head with Kiss FM presenter Alex Mansuroglu, who believes it is "freeing". An opinionated Parsons did not hold back, sharing: "I think people that do it are pathetic. I think Alex is one of those losers that goes to restaurants alone, and it's weird. He continued: "I go to restaurants and see solo diners and I'm just uncomfortable. I question the motives, I think it's really really bizarre." Meanwhile, Mansuroglu explained: "I lead a very busy life, I have two kids at home. "If I can have a 30-minute Nando's to myself before I get home and then pick up a little takeaway for my kids and fiance, that's great, it's freeing. "People sometimes think I might have been stood up, I might get a free dessert in this, I might get 10 per cent off the bill, I think it's amazing and great," he added. A snippet of the chat has since been shared on TikTok, which saw thousands of users chime in with their opinions. Many of which hit back at Parson's take, with one writing: "So he needs constant companionship… no that’s odd". @goodmorningbritain Fans of 'solo dining' claim it promotes healthier 'mindful' eating as they focus on their food, rather than being distracted by chatter. Online searches for 'solo dining' soared by 357% in 12 months and the report by hospitality experts is urging pubs and eateries to cater for loners by playing background music to 'fill the void of no conversation.' What do you think? #GMB#goodmorningbritain#debate Another joked: "Wait until he finds out people travel alone". A third wrote: "He clearly isn't comfortable with himself if he can't do things like that alone, what difference is eating alone at a restaurant or at home". Others were quick to jump to the defence of solo diners, with one calling it "impressive." They commented: "I think the opposite, I think people doing things alone are impressive. They’re content in their own company and have the confidence to do it". Meanwhile, another quoted novelist Charles Bukowski, who famously said: "Beware those who seek constant crowds, for they are nothing alone." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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As the “culture war” over drag queens, LGBT+ pride and transgender rights continues in America, actor and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg has waded into the discourse to slam “snowflakes” over Target being forced to remove Pride displays in its stores due to violent threats. The US retail giant issued a statement on Wednesday to say it would remove certain items “at the centre of the most significant confrontational behaviour” which was impacting staff’s “sense of safety and wellbeing”. Offering her take on ABC’s The View, the Sister Act actor responded to comments from fellow panellist Alyssa Farah Griffin and said: “I’m sorry, I don’t know what controversial means, having been called controversial for most of my career the last 40 years. “People decide what’s controversial and they point. You know, they say, ‘oh, you got that on your shirt’. You don’t know what this is, and you’ve made a decision about it. “I’m all for protecting the folks [at Target], I don’t know if they called the cops, maybe they did and they felt this was the right way. I am sick of people moving my desires, because their desires are not being met in some way. “I am sick of people telling me I can’t go to a drag show. I am sick of people telling me that my friends are different because you don’t understand them. I’m sick of it.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Goldberg went on to add that “this is America” and that people are “supposed to be able to be whoever you are”, to loud applause from the audience. She added: “Stop with all this stuff. You want to talk about snowflakes? Who are the snowflakes, really?” Sunny Hostin chipped in: “The people scared of a [Pride] flag.” Goldberg continued: “The people scared of a flag, the people scared of a drag brunch. It’s a brunch! It’s a brunch!” “I’m getting really tired of this and I’m trying not to say any bad words.” The LGBT+ campaigner has since been praised for her remarks: Last week Goldberg made headlines with Michael J Fox, when the Back to the Future star revealed he turned down the chance to work with the actor on the hit movie Ghost. “I said, ‘Whoopi’s great, but it’ll never work.’ And then it was great and huge, and I’m a f***ing idiot,” he said. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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