John McCririck tributes confuse Twitter as McDonald’s fans think beloved Big Mac burger is off the menu
BAFFLED McDonald’s fans went into meltdown today after tributes for horse racing legend John McCririck made them panic that the Big Mac was off the menu. The Celebrity Big Brother star tragically passed away today in hospital aged 79 after chillingly predicting he wouldn’t live another year. But the icon’s nickname ‘Big Mac’ left McDonald’s […]
BAFFLED McDonald’s fans went into meltdown today after tributes for horse racing legend John McCririck made them panic that the Big Mac was off the menu.
The Celebrity Big Brother star tragically passed away today in hospital aged 79 after chillingly predicting he wouldn’t live another year.
But the icon’s nickname ‘Big Mac’ left McDonald’s customers confused as tributes flooded in for the legendary broadcaster on Twitter.
‘RIP Big Mac’ began trending on the social media site – with fast food fans questioning why the burger was being removed from the menu.
One wrote: “Saw #RIPBigMac and assumed McDonald’s had finally gone under.”
Another said: “I genuinely thought McDonald’s had decided to no longer sell the Big Mac, and then I see this.
“RIP BIG MAC. #RIPBigMac”.
One user tweeted: “Folks #RIPBigMac is not the end of the Big Mac burger. I also nearly got my hunger strike clothes out.”.
While another wrote: “When I see #RIPBigMac trending I almost cried thinking McDonalds had got rid!!!”
McCririck had been dogged by health issues in recent years and chillingly said last year he would not live to see another summer.
The pundit, who had suffered chest problems and a three-stone weight loss due to a severe bout of flu, blamed his illness on the stress of being dropped from Channel 4 Racing after 28 years.
His family confirmed the sad news he had passed away today in hospital but is not yet clear how he died. His funeral will be private.
Big Mac Facts
Michael “Jim” Delligatti, who passed away in 2016 aged 98, came up with the iconic McDonald’s burger in 1968.
Now the chain has reportedly sold billions of Big Macs in more than 100 countries around the globe.
In 2008, the sandwich’s 40th anniversary, the company estimated that it sells 550 million Big Macs every year. That’s around 17 per second.
The price of the burger has increased dramatically over the years having went on sale in 1968 for 38 pence. The current price of a Big Mac in the US is around £2.90.
According to McDonald’s they haven’t changed the size of their legendary 540 calorie burger since 1971.
McCririck lived in North London with his wife of 48 years Jenny whom he famously called ‘the Booby’ in reference to a bird that is “stupid and pathetically easy to catch and squawks a lot”.
In a statement, McCririck’s family described him as an “award-winning journalist and broadcaster” and “for many years the face of British horse racing”.
They continued: “His flamboyant broadcasting style from the heart of betting ring proved extremely popular with racing fans and beyond.”
As well as horse racing, McCririck was known for numerous cameos on mainstream TV – including three notorious stints on Celebrity Big Brother and an unforgettable appearance on Celebrity Wife Swap.
Tributes have flooded in for McCririck as news of his death spread.
TV presenter Piers Morgan tweeted: “RIP John McCririck. He spoke his mind, loved to ruffle feathers, was as funny as he was outrageous, and had such a deep knowledge of & tremendous passion for horse-racing.
“A great British character.”
Jockey AP McCoy said: “Very sad to hear the news of John McCririck’s passing – one of the most recognisable faces from the world of horse racing and a great at promoting our sport. Our thoughts are with Jenny.”
One of his former Channel 4 colleagues, former champion jockey John Francome, said: “I knew he’d been ill for a while. He was eccentric, incredibly generous – he was brilliant at his job. He was great company and I loved him.
“I feel very sorry for Jenny as they were a great team.
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“He reached outside the sport – the two names that were mentioned by people outside racing were Frankie Dettori and Big Mac.
“He had a persona for TV, he was nothing like what you saw on screen, he was a lovely man.
“You’d never want to get into an argument with him because he wouldn’t argue with you unless he’s researched it to the nth degree!”
