Martin Lewis sparks heated debate following clash with loud train passengers

Martin Lewis found himself at the centre of an online debate about train etiquette after he confronted a woman who was loudly using her phone on a packed carriage.

On Sunday, September 27, the MoneySavingExpert founder was travelling with his family on a busy train when a couple across the aisle started playing music loudly from their phone.

Lewis says he initially bit his tongue, but he eventually felt compelled to speak up when the pair began watching a documentary about serial killers at full blast.

Sharing the encounter on X, the 54-year-old said that he then politely asked the couple to turn it down as the content was not appropriate, but they refused.

“I'm sure she's heard worse at school,” the woman allegedly said.

Lewis said he told her that that wasn’t her decision to make and asked once more if she could turn the volume down.

“It’s a public train for heaven's sake,” she replied, though Lewis said she did eventually relent.

“For me that's exactly why it is anti-social (and what headphones were invented for). I'm wondering which one of us is out of kilter on this?”

Many of Lewis’s followers weighed in on the debate, including some famous faces.

“The general lack of consideration for others in public spaces is abysmal,” wrote Sharron Davies, former Olympic swimmer and member of the House of Lords.

Singer Amy Macdonnald said: “It’s her that’s in the wrong. It’s the most self centred, ridiculous behaviour. You’re better than me - I give people about 60 seconds grace time before telling them to shut it.”

Another user chided in: “You were right that’s ridiculous do I take it this woman thinks it’s okay for her kids oh how the world is getting worse!”

“It’s just incredible isn’t it?” said another user. “I’ve come to the conclusion that some people just must have their brains wired differently. As to think that playing loud music or videos, and particularly none child friendly material in public space is acceptable, is beyond my comprehension.”

Other X users with differing viewpoints also weighed in on the issue. One wrote: “I actually think technology has a part to play here too - without wired headphone jacks, Bluetooth headphones can be prohibitively expensive, or run out of battery.

“Don't remember any issues back in the iPod, wired headphone days unless a group listened to music together.”

Other comments disagreed with Lewis and his decision to share the encounter, taking the side of the woman in the argument.

One person said: “She’s in the right here, should have just played a more offensive video louder.@

“Why post it on here?” asked another. “I'd have said mind your own business, and I wouldn't have recognised you either.”