Good Morning Britain viewers were divided on Thursday over host Ben Shephard's 'demanding' interviewing style as he rowed with an MP over the Indian variant.
Ben, who took a lengthy break from the ITV show last month to shoot the new series of Tipping Point, was hotly tipped, in the wake of Piers Morgan's stormy exit from GMB, to be the eventual full time replacement for the outspoken presenter.
Given his month long absence from his GMB duties, viewers have yet to see Ben given a full run at it, with Adil Ray at the helm of the programme alongside Susanna Reid for most of April.
However, he certainly made an impact as he took his place alongside Susanna on Thursday, when they were joined by James Cleverly, Minister for Middle East & North Africa in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Ben and Susanna sought answers from the MP on the growing concerns surrounding the Indian variant of coronavirus and whether it could halt the easing of restrictions on June 21.
It has been widely reported that Sage are hosting an urgent meeting today to discuss the sharp rise of Indian variant in the UK but Susanna and Ben, particularly, seemed intent on getting answers from Cleverly before it had even happened.
Cleverly told them: "This pandemic has always a very serious issue. We have had a fantastic roll out; we've seen a lot of positive changes in the figures related to Covid in large parts because of that.
"But the Prime Minister has always been clear that we will take an approach based on science; that we will be careful, we will make sure that any steps that we take are done so safely and will be driven by the data.
"This is always what we've said is our approach and this remains our approach."
Seeking a more definitive answer on the potential effect of the Indian variant on the roadmap out of lockdown, Ben pressed a steadfast Cleverly further, firing back: "you're not answering ANY question," before accusing the minister of "deflecting."
Cleverly told a dissatisfied Ben that he wasn't going to speculate and, while some viewers applauded the host for putting the MP on the spot, others criticised him for going after answers that couldn't be given yet.
One fan claimed Ben showed exactly why he should be full time anchor, tweeting: "Ben just showed why HE should be the lead on GMB all week. Ben and Kate together is the way forward!!" and also praising him another posted: "Well done @benshephard at last someone on @GMB who try’s his best to get a answer from a minister."
Taking the opposite stance and branding Ben's interview technique as "embarrassing," a critic reacted: "Well that was embarrassing @benshephard maybe you should have got a Lady on with a crystal ball instead if you want to know what the future holds..."
In agreement, another tweeted: "That was quite painful @benshephard..he isn’t going to speculate as we don’t know about this Indian strain and how it will affect things..everything opening has run on schedule so far but that’s not good enough for you!"
And a third ranted: "It really does not suit @benshephard attempting to be @piersmorgan on @GMB. Totally embarrassing himself coming across as thick & rude when questioning @JamesCleverly who in return completely owned the interview."
