Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy angered Loose Women fans when he appeared on the panel during Monday’s episode.
The 40-year-old actor was a guest on the ITV lunchtime chat show – and sat alongside stars Carol McGiffin, 62, Jane Moore, 60, Katie Piper, 38, and Linda Robson, 64.
During his time on the show, Gary discussed his upcoming exit from Hollyoaks which will see his character, Luke Morgan, struck down with early onset dementia – or Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – ending his time on the soap after more than 20 years.
Gary also opened up about his own heartbreaking experience of dementia as he has close loved ones who have been affected by the cruel disease.
Addressing his exit from Hollyoaks, Gary said: "It was really emotional. I started [Hollyoaks] when I was 17. It was my second job after Dream Team...
"And the director who worked on my last every episode on Hollyoaks was the second assistant director on Dream Team back in the day. So all these years later it was just really emotional, really amazing."
He added: "It was amazing, I can't say how amazing that place is. I've made friends for life there and I'll never ever forget the experience I had and the opportunities it gave me."
While those tuning in were touched by Gary’s stories – many were left fuming over the fact he had been chewing gum throughout his interview.
Fans took to social media to blast the actor as rude and unprofessional for chewing away while fielding questions from the panel of ladies.
One viewer fumed on Twitter : “Distracted by the important topic he's talking about because I keep spotting the chewing gum he could have ditched before being interviewed!! #LooseWomen.”
Another remarked: "I think Gary Lucy could have removed the chewing gum before appearing on LW. Doesn't seem on his A game today does he? #LooseWomen."
Another commented: "How did they let on Gary Lucy with gum in his mouth. Big no-no for a TV interview. #LooseWomen."
A further fan lashed out, tweeting: "@loosewomen please tell Gary Lucy to get rid of that chewing gum. Its very rude and not nice to see it floating around in his mouth when he speaks, let alone chewingit inbetween talking."
While another desperately urged: “@loosewomen tell Gary Lucy to spit his gum out. No one wants to see it going round his gob!!”
Gary previously explained to DigitalSpy that he agreed to return as Luke on Hollyoaks for a final stint on the condition that they be allowed to explore Frontotemporal dementia through his character.
He said: "I said I'd absolutely love to and so we talked about it, and basically I suggested a young dementia story – frontotemporal dementia is the medical term for it. "
"It had never been done before and that is what Hollyoaks is all about. It is leading the pack in regards to groundbreaking and heavy stories. Luke's male rape being another one obviously back in the day, which was huge and so important. This was a great opportunity to come back and to ultimately finish with another story that is a first basically – young dementia, especially."
"I know other shows have done dementia stories and I know Emmerdale had a story with Ashley's character, which was amazing. But it happens to young people as well. For instance, one of the guys I went to school had it and no-one really understood what was going on. It's just heartbreaking."
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