Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley angered his viewership during a tense discussion with a guest, where he argued against the idea of ditching the 'mum and dad' labels at schools.
It has been claimed that four primary schools in Brighton have ditched the 'mum and dad' labels when referring to parents, and they are using 'grown-ups' in order to be more inclusive, as reported by the Express.
ITV hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley spoke with online guests Natasha Devon and Afua Hagan about this decision - which is where things got heated.
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Guest Natasha accused Richard of getting things wrong halfway during the discussion, which is where things took a tenser turn.
The guest decided to point out the statistics of children who are currently being brought up without a "mum or dad".
Natasha said: "When staff are talking to groups, they use the term grown-ups to include those children.
"So they don't feel like 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 is really difficult to have an objection to it."
Richard responded to Natasha, saying: "Natasha, with respect, I don't think this programme has got this story wrong."
Natasha replied, "You have", before Richard interrupted, stating: "I respectfully disagree with you, I don't think we have.
"I think we have reported it completely accurately."
Natasha began to tell Richard to "go online" to see what has been said about the reports, before he jumped in again.
Richard continued: "Let's agree to differ on that", and then said: "What is offensive about a teacher talking to a classroom of pupils using the terms mum or dad as well as grown-ups?
"But what is offensive about mum or dad?"
Natasha then calmly explained that schools are not banning the words mum or dad, but just trying to make the conversation surrounding parents or guardians more inclusive for those who may not have a mum or a dad.
Richard's comments sparked anger with viewers, and many took to Twitter to praise Natasha for standing up to the host.
Other viewers also claimed to have "switched off" the show following Richard's comments.
One Twitter user said: "Omg Richard M is just so awful on #GMB Can't watch any longer."
Another tweeted: "I honestly do not understand how @susannareid100 can work alongside these co-presenters. Richard is unbearable to watch, especially during interviews #GMB."
While another added: "#GMB Richard wants a debate regardless of the facts involved. Rude, patronising and not willing to take on board that GMB may have made a mistake. He should apologise for how He has just spoken to the lady in West London." (sic)
"@GMB When are you going to remove Richard Madeley as host?"a further tweet asked.
"You see yourself as a leading morning ‘news’ show, yet you continue to keep in place a man who is offensive, misogynistic, patronising and completely incompetent. He makes a mockery of your show #GMB."
"Waste of airtime #GMB," another wrote before adding: "@_NatashaDevon well done for outing a complete non-story on #gmb this morning."
A further comment said: "#GMB & Richard Madeley being called out for fake news clickbait nonsense live on air."
