A union chief boss in the UK has become a viral sensation after declaring James Connolly as his 'hero' in a primetime TV interview.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) leader Mick Lynch has become a regular guest on current affairs shows in the UK discussing the slew of rail strikes in the country.

Speaking to ITV in a quick-fire question interview, Lynch stunned viewers at home when he was asked who his political hero is.

“Who’s your political hero?” “James Connolly, an Irish socialist republican” pic.twitter.com/JAUkY9G5Nd

'Do you know who James Connolly is? The Irish socialite Republican, he educated himself and he start non-sectarian trade unionism in Ireland. He was a hero of the Irish revolution,' Lynch said without skipping a beat.

Twitter lit up with viewers commending Lynch for being so honest and shining a light on one of the key figures from the 1916 Rising.

One person said: 'No surprise there. Wait for the Tabloid headlines Red Mick has Irish passport!!!!'

Another added: 'Just when you think you couldn’t like the man any more.'

While one person said: 'Mick showing his Irish roots. The Irish are strong we fight injustice. Good on ye Mick, keep up the good fight.'

On Tuesday, Lynch found himself in a bizarre argument with Piers Morgan after the controversial host decided to quiz him on why his Twitter profile picture is of Thunderbirds' character 'The Hood'.

'Well I’m just wondering where the comparison goes because he was obviously an evil, criminal terrorist mastermind, described as the world’s most dangerous man who wrecked utter carnage and havoc on the public,' Morgan enquired.

Without skipping a beat Lynch replied: 'Is that the level you’re pitching this at, Piers? That is a joke amongst me and my friends, and you can see the likeness if you like... He’s the most evil puppet made out of vinyl in the world. Is that the level journalism is at these days?'

In an interview with Sky News' Kay Burley, Mr Lynch won the headlines as he appeared to give as good as he got in a no-holds barred conversation.

In a combative exchange with Ms Burley, Mr Lynch was asked what he'd do if agency workers were hired to take up posts left vacant by strikers.

Mr Lynch replied: 'Well, we will picket them, what do you think we'll do, Kay? We're in a picket line and we'll ask them not to go to work. Do you know how a picket line actually works?'

In another viral moment for the union spokesperson, Lynch didn't hold back after Conservative MP Robert Jenrick claimed RTM 'lost 20% of the passengers on the railway since COVID' and that 'alienating people, going on strike and making their lives much more difficult' is the 'worst way' to handle the situation.

'The worst way you could do it is by insisting the fares go up by RPI [Retail Price Index], ripping off the commuters, but you won’t give the workers RPI. The fares go up by RPI every year, the Retail Price Index. That’s the government regulations.

'Last year, profits were made by the train operators – £500 million out of that subsidy you gave went to those companies. First Group and Go Ahead, who we’re negotiating with, are both subject to takeovers from private equity companies.

'They’re going to be worth billions because they know you’re going to keep siphoning money from the public purse into private sector operators. Just as you’re doing health, education and care,' he said.

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