This Morning fans were left a bit baffled when Martin Lewis made a different kind of appearance on the show. The Money Saving Expert founder joined Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield live in the studio on Thursday (February 9) for what will be their last show for more than a week.
Ahead of the pair heading off on their latest half-term break from the ITV daytime show, Martin chatted to them about his career as he marked 20 years since his first ever appearance on This Morning.
While fans are used to see him offering the latest money-saving advice and adding context to all the latest changes amid the cost of living crisis, the tables were turned on Martin as he was interviewed about his own career, and shared how he was pretty close to turning his back on Money Saving Expert 20 years ago.
READ MORE: Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield gasp 'no' as ITV This Morning fans say it's 'obscene'
"Before I came along money journalism was about investment, and it was a bit 'wooo' if you talk mortgages, never mind gas and electricity bills," he told Holly and Phillip. He went on to say: "I'm about playing the system and beating the system. I developed it [Money Saving Expert] on this simply money channel that nobody watched and that's where I learned my trade… that went bust.
"I had a column in the Sunday Express, I did some stuff on Channel 5 – that show was stopped. I had lunch with my dad and I said “I’m not sure this'll work. I keep going to people and they say money doesn't work on television.'" He added: "I said to my dad 'I’m gonna give it two months more and then I’m going to have to quit because I’m really struggling.'"
Martin was also shown the clip of his first appearance on This Morning, which was with Phillip and his former co-host Fern Britton. After delivering his advice in response to a caller asking about her phone bills, an impressed Phillip, now 60, said to him: "You need to come back."
As they returned to the studio, Martin, 50, quipped: "I looked quite handsome! I wish I’d known." He then said that two days later, during a chance encounter with a producer while speaking on a Radio 5 debate pogramme, he was asked to be on the ITV series. Fortunately his debut, quite obviously, went down well.
"After we bust the phone lines, four hours later, I got the call saying, ‘We'd like you on every week’ – and I burst into tears," Martin recalled to which Phillip told him: "We’re very proud that we found you – you’ve been incredibly successful," before joking they now wanted 15 percent of his earnings as a kind of 'finders fee'.
But some This Morning viewers weren't too sure about the chat. @Itt39354118 moaned: "Whats the point of this#thismorning." @Itt39354118 complained: "They're just blabbing on and on now #thismorning." @leeleeCThomas wrote: "This seems to be more about his career rather than the people he has helped #ThisMorning."
Others, however, were quick to defend his appearance. @VLChesh said: "Daughter met Martin Lewis in a group setting via work and said he’s a very humble man. I for one always appreciate his financial advice. #thismorning #MartinLewis." @AJ8malone shared: "I don't no why people give martin a hard time you do realise he donated money during covid he didn't have to that's money he earned he also funded charities. #thismorning." @efc_me1 added: "You’re fab Martin . Kids all over the UK are so lucky you are here. For them. #ThisMorning."
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