Who is playing the glockenspiel behind the news broadcasters?

But aside from those on Brexit and the future of the United Kingdom, one of the other topics on people’s lips this week surrounds the most unusual protest behind the television broadcasts. And it involves the use of the glockenspiel.

Appearing as a soundtrack to live broadcasts from the BBC News to Channel 4 News to Sky News the musical instrument has been used to blast out performances of songs including the Imperial March, the Mr Benn theme tune, the soundtracks to The Wombles, Harry Potter and The Exorcist.

It has captured the imagination of many viewers of the news broadcasts, who have taken to social media to ask questions.

From whether it’s a xylophone or a glockenspiel, to what the purpose of the protest is, the tweets have been flooding in. While others have either taken to social media to bemoan or praise the musical performances.

https://twitter.com/KarenPollock100/status/1154079812568453120

Some have even asked if the performer will take requests while they watch the news.

The protester’s presence has led to some news presenters getting visibly annoyed on-air as they try to remain heard above the noise, including Sky’s Mark Austin.

Now in video and photographic footage the player has been unmasked – a topless man wearing just a pair of shorts, brandishing both the flags of Palestine and Europe, and presumably protesting rather than celebrating Boris Johnson’s arrival at Downing Street.

But it is not the first protest that he has turned up for, with the Telegraph’s Michael Deacon noting he had turned up outside Labour HQ to an event surrounding anti-semitism.

https://twitter.com/MrBridger_HMP/status/1154433628115525633

This particular protester should not be confused with the pro-Brexit supporter who has been ringing a “Liberty Bell” for independence outside parliament, and could be heard on some news broadcasts over a number of weeks.

https://twitter.com/MichaelPDeacon/status/1036925428332683270

https://twitter.com/jmthommo/status/1154452925529427968