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Good Morning Britain viewers joked they had added ‘too much acid to their Cornflakes’ after watching an X Factor legend extol the virtues of flip-flops.
Chico Slimani, 53, who reached the quarter-finals of the ITV reality show in 2005, appeared on GMB to debate whether wearing the summer shoe staple should be banned while driving.
However, viewers of the programme, hosted today by Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh, were baffled by the producers’ decision to select Chico for the discussion, given that he is neither a footwear nor driving expert.
On X, @LiverbirdMum quipped: ‘Can someone wake me from this fever dream because I think I’m seeing Chico from the X Factor pontificating about the dangers of flipflops whilst driving and the nanny state #GMB.’
Echoing their sentiment, @tguest sarcastically said: ‘Well-known expert Chico has morphed into Captain Jack Sparrow and is on #GMB rn holding forth on the pros and cons of driving in flip-flops. Too much acid with my Cornflakes this morning.’
@JFoxleyBrookesx asked: ‘Can someone tell me why Chico, of all people, Is arguing about flip flops on GMB? #GMB.’
@DobryNicola was also confused and added: ‘Chico. An expert driver? Or just wears flip-flops?’
During the debate, Chico, who scored a number one single in the UK charts with It’s Chico Time, made the case for wearing flip-flops behind the wheel, bizarrely arguing they were ‘a part’ of his foot.
‘Literally they are a part of my foot,’ he said, while extending his foot in the air to show off his sandals.
Claiming that wearing flip-flops while driving was not unsafe, Chico continued: ‘What I’m trying to say to you is this – it’s very, very simple – for your safety it’s bull.
In a bizarre rant, the singer said: ‘I’ll you what it’s another thing the government and the police are going to bring in because the government makes £1.3 billion at the misery of people. This is bigger than the sandals. This is bigger than anything. You should become aware of your own surroundings.’
In the UK though it isn’t technically illegal for you to drive in flip-flops, socks, or barefoot, it is not advised and can be dangerous.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states you should ensure that: ‘Clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.’
If you do happen to be stopped for driving erratically or dangerously, you could be charged with driving without due care and attention. The maximum penalty for this is a £5,000 fine, up to nine points on your license, or even a driving ban.
Chico was mentored by Sharon Osbourne on X Factor and, after the show ended, went on to have a short-lived music career.
He released hit single It’s Chico Time and later a cover of the song D.I.S.C.O by Ottawan, which had a peak position of 24.
However, Chico’s third single Curvy Cola Bottle Body Baby was by his own admission a ‘flop.’
‘I spent quarter of a million of my own money on my third single Curvy Cola Bottle Body Baby — it was all about size zero in the fashion industry,’ he previously told The Sun.
‘It didn’t get any airplay and flopped. No one wanted to take Chico seriously. I had just £3.70 left in my pocket — with a family [Chico is married to Daniyela Rakic-Slimani, and the couple have two children], a mortgage and all my credit cards maxed out.’
Now, though, Chico has a surprising new career in the health and wellness space.
He runs spiritual and fitness retreats in countries includingPortugal, Bali, and Croatia and also leads Block Fit classes which incorporate dance, HIIT, and yoga.
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Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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