Dermot O'Leary has sparked a wave of fresh criticism after defending comments he made on This Morning about audiences singing in theatres.
Dermot, 49, and co-host Alison Hammond faced a backlash last week after discussing hit musical The Bodyguard on the ITV morning show, where people attending the performance have been 'banned' from singing along. Dermot laughed along as Alison remarked: "I just think it's terrible, because I sing at every single musical."
She added: "I can't believe it. I'd be devastated. I'm not even going to go to that show now." The remarks resurfaced after an incident during a performance of the musical at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Friday saw police called to deal with the audience as "mini riots" and "fights" broke out.
READ MORE: Saturday Night Takeaway documentary sparks debate with revelation as viewers feel 'conned'
The show had to be paused briefly during its first act to evict a handful of people after they would not refrain from singing, and ultimately ended up being cut short 10 minutes before the finale after audience behaviour "ruined" the performance. Star Ayden Callaghan hit out at the "disgusting behaviour", saying: "It's not karaoke, we want people to enjoy themselves, and enjoy the performances they have paid to see."
Later taking to Twitter to defend himself, Dermot wrote: "A lot of people commenting about a reaction to a story we covered on This Morning about the Bodyguard show and audiences singing along. Could I politely urge anyone passing judgement on the clip to watch the whole interview... as I was actually arguing AGAINST people singing too loudly in theatres.
"Nothing but love and respect for those treading the boards," he added. But many were not impressed by his comments, including several people with first-hand experience of being on the stage.
Dancer and Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson replied: "Weird take, and and a disappointing read if I'm honest. People, don't sing at all, at ANY volume when you're watching musicals, unless it’s been okayed by the production. You're there to be performed for, not performed with."
Opera Holland Park CEO Michael Volpe also hit back at Dermot: "You argued against people singing 'too loudly'? Are you sure you are being misrepresented in this?"
And theatre discussion platform StageSide tweeted in response: "You laughed, and giggled and sneered throughout the whole thing? How is that defending the performers?"
Drag queen Diamond Pearl also criticised Dermot's remarks, saying: "Dermot, if I've paid £80+ for a mediocre and uncomfortable seat in a West End stage to see an artist or ensemble perform, I don't expect Brenda from Sheffield to be belting it out next to me, so 'too loudly' isn't good enough and this whole statement reeks!"
Several people drew comparisons between Dermot's and his co-star Alison's response to the backlash over the This Morning segment, after Alison issued a length apology for her remarks. The presenter wrote: "After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday's show I want to apologise to anyone who I offended, especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the utmost respect for.
"I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday’s show, and for that I'm truly sorry. I'm a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at the top of my lungs at any performance, I was wrong in what I said and I've given this a lot of thought over the past few days and believe I was wrong."
READ NEXT:
Ant admits he 'didn't know' whether he could film Saturday Night Takeaway scene
Where are Vera cast now? What happened to stars who quit - from big return to Hollywood stardom
ITV's Starstruck final result 'ruined' as winner revealed on YouTube before end of show
Fans get emotional over Lewis Capaldi documentary on Netflix
Simon Cowell's two wishes for new series of Britain's Got Talent
