Fuming Good Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins fired back at Piers Morgan over a dig he made at her in front of millions of viewers.
As she usually does, new anchor Charlotte kicked off Tuesday's edition of the ITV breakfast show before her co-hosts Piers and Susanna Reid took over to take the reins until 9am.
And, as he he sat behind the GMB desk to start his segment, Piers couldn't resist getting a jibe in at former Strictly contestant Charlotte's expense when he told people watching at home: "Well Good Morning Britain, it has gone half past six, welcome to the well... well, the real programme."
A frustrated Charlotte shot back: "What?!" with Susanna also shocked at Piers' dig, telling him "The news is also the real programme!"
Defending herself, Charlotte then said: "I am the real programme - half an hour of the morning news."
Looking delighted that he'd wound her up, Piers then responded: "There we go.
"I put the rod out and in they came like little hungry fish."
Mimicking Charlotte's reaction he shouted: "What, what, what?! 'Oh we have been here since 6am', adding "As I was saying, welcome to the real part of the programme."
Charlotte fumed: "You've enjoyed your lie in, you can actually start some work now!"
Piers then angered Charlotte even further when, referring to the fact that he and Susanna will be on from 6am on Wednesday to cover the result of the US Election he added: "We'll start the real show at 6 tomorrow..." and, as Charlotte shot him daggers, exclaimed "She's going to blow!"
Viewers were quick to react to the spat. Siding with Charlotte, one fan tweeted: "Charlotte is the best part of GMTV. As soon as piers starts I turn over to BBC1 I’m afraid. I mainly watch GMTV on Thursday and Fridays now," and another posted: "Charlotte Hawkins and Susanna Reid are Goddess like. Their levels of toleration are on a whole other level.
"How they put up with Piers Morgans patter on a daily basis is beyond me. Hats off ladies."
