Richard Madeley was involved in a fiery clash with a Good Morning Britain guest this morning over a school's plan to ditch the words mum and dad in favour of the term 'grown ups'.
The television presenter was left rowing with a guest on the ITV breakfast show today, as she accused Good Morning Britain of 'getting the story wrong' as he "respectfully disagreed" with her over her claims.
Richard and co-host Susanna Reid were debating about the recent revelation that four state primary schools in Brighton have decided to change calling parents mum and dads and instead use the term grown ups to support 'non-traditional' families.
"When staff are talking to groups, they use the term grown ups to children, so they don't feel they are abnormal or excluded in any way. This benefits everyone, it harms absolutely no one, and once you understand it in that context, it's really difficult to have an objection to it," guest Natasha shared on the ITV programme.
He replied: "Natasha, with respect, I don't think this programme has got this story wrong."
Natasha interjected whilst Richard was speaking, as she said: "You have Richard, you have."
"I respectfully disagree with you, I don't think we have. We reported it completely accurately," he continued, "Let's agree to differ on that and let me pull you up on what you just said and your answer.
"What is offensive about a teacher talking to a class of pupils and using the terms mum and dad? As well as grown ups but why ban the words mum and dad?"
"No one's banning mum and dad!" she shouted back.
It comes after it was revealed headteachers at four primary schools in Brighton have decided to use the words grown ups rather than mum and dad in a bid to avoid discriminating against 'non-traditional' families.
Carlton Hill Primary School released a school vision statement, which said: "We try to talk about our ‘grown-ups’ rather than our ‘mums and dads’ to acknowledge the different family groupings our pupils live in."
One parent told Mail Online: "It's very confusing for us adults, never mind the kids. They just don't understand why the teachers can't call their mums or dads, mum or dad? I know the schools are trying to take into account the different kinds of families pupils may come from, but the majority have a mum or dad, regardless of if they are together or not.
"So why can't staff just keep it simple for the kids and call their parents what they are; mum or dad?"
