Good Morning Britain viewers have been left divided after what they called a 'silly' segment on the Queen. Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard were back at the helm of the ITV news programme on Tuesday (September 13) as they hosted another special show paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
GMB returned to air on Saturday following the peaceful death of the Queen, aged 96, at Balmoral on Thursday, September 8. The announcement was made by Buckingham Palace at around 6.30pm with a brief statement issued to the Press Association, BBC and hung on the gates of the Queen's London home.
The ITV show has aired every morning since, detailing the next steps as Charles was officially proclaimed King and following the Queen's final journey from Scotland to London where she'll lie in rest in Westminster Hall before her state funeral on Monday, September 19, at Westminster Abbey.
READ MORE: ITV Lorraine viewers praise 'random' Lewis Capaldi appearance as show returns after Queen's death
But during the latest episode, British racing driver Jackie Stewart left fans divided after he appeared to discuss the Queen's driving skills with hosts Ben and Susanna. The motorsports star spoke about his experiences with the late monarch and even shared his thoughts on the Queen's love of driving.
The 83-year-old said she "never missed a gear change" but he also emotionally spoke about how news of the Queen's death had affected him: "All of the people that I’ve lost as racing drivers, 57 people, all my friends were killed driving racing cars until I changed the safety of motorsport.
"I felt more pain for her loss in these last few days than I’ve ever done in any other circumstances because there’ll never be another. I love to think there will be. Our Royal family, I think, carry our country so well. That's something that most people don’t fully understand and realise how important it is to have a monarchy of this time and we are unique."
Stewart also said he had the "privilege to drive" with the Queen "a number of times". He added that, following a BBQ with the Queen after he had just won his last world championship, he asked her if she would like him to drive. "'Certainly not,' she said. 'You can be my navigator.' And she put me in the passenger seat," Stewart recalled. "That was my first experience of her skills as a driver," he added.
When asked whether the Queen liked to drive with speed, Stewart said: "She liked to drive with speed when the time was right but she was a very careful driver." Stewart added that Anne, the Princess Royal is also a "really good driver" and that he thinks it must "run in the family".
GMB viewers, however, weren't sure about the discussion on the late Queen's driving skills. @UnInterlocutor tweeted: "'She never missed a gear change.' Yeah, tell me again how this queen coverage is proportional and necessary #GMB." @AdamGiddins commented: "Jackie Stewart is now on GMB claiming the queen was an incredible driver because she 'never missed an indicator'… this is all starting to get a bit silly, isn’t it #GMB."
Others, however, were impressed by Stewart's tribute. @MrRew9 said: "Total respect to a truly legendary Gentleman." @kilshawkids2 wrote: "Lovely interview Jackie." @Swisspicknic added: "Beautifully said, always the Gentleman, and committed to what he believes in @racingdementia."
Stewart's interview came following a chat with a free speech protester who GMB viewers fumed just wanted "15 minutes of fame". Paul Powlesland went to Parliament Square on Monday (September 12) and held up a blank piece of paper. In a viral tweet he claimed that a police officer came up to him and asked for his details. He says the officer told him if he wrote 'Not My King' on it, he would be arrested under the Public Order Act "because someone might be offended".
While on GMB, Paul elaborated on the "need to draw a clear line between disrespecting mourning of the Queen and the protesting of Charles' accession". He said: "To be clear - I wasn't outside Buckingham Palace, and I wouldn't have gone outside Buckingham Palace because that's where people are mourning.
"I was outside Parliament, the centre of our politics. Where someone has proclaimed himself King and said I'm his subject. I think I get a chance to at least make my opinion of that in very polite terms." He added: "We need to allow people to protest peacefully the political accession of a monarch."
Anf GMB viewers had strong viewers. "He got his 15 minutes of fame bless him." Others said it wasn't the time or place to protest the monarchy," one said. Another commented: "Right to protest I agree with however to do while a family are mourning their mother is disgusting."
A third added: "Yes protest with your poster but there is a time and place. The King has no choice to continue with the Proclamation, the Queen had to do the same when her father passed away. Let the family and the country mourn our Queen then play your games after."
READ NEXT:
- Queen's bodyguard reveals calming effect Her Majesty had on fearful celebs who 'melted before her'
- ITV Coronation Street fans make joke as they're left stunned over who Sam's pen pal really is
- ITV Coronation Street's Millie Gibson shares real reason she's left soap and why she had to convince her parents about her exit
- ITV Coronation Street fans say one line minutes into episode was 'worth the wait' for soap's to return
- ITV This Morning viewers distracted by Corrie legend Bill Roache - and it's not for the first time
