Holly Willoughby has been praised for 'taking a guest to task' alongside Phillip Schofield on This Morning. The pair were back fronting the ITV daytime show on Wednesday (November 9) and they were again discussing a story not far from the headlines and on everybody's lips.
The This Morning duo were joined live in the studio by Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner while former politician Lembit Opik appeared via video link to debate Matt Hancock's appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. Fans of the ITV reality show got their first glimpse of the former health secretary at the end of Tuesday night's programme.
He'll be making his debut during Wednesday night's installment alongside comedian Seann Walsh who is also joining camp as a latecomer. Co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly teed up the arrival of the new campmates. The Geordie duo also informed the current celebrity contestants of the new arrivals and broke the news that both Matt, 44, and comedian Seann, 36, would be undertaking the next trial.
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Matt's signing has caused quite a lot of backlash, despite the MP and ITV both defending the decision. During her appearance on This Morning, Ms Rayner argued that Matt's appearance on the show wasn't on, particularly with what is currently happening in Parliament.
She described his appearance as ‘offensive’ to people who struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic, and said that if he wants to raise awareness of issues like dyslexia, the jungle is not the place to do it. She also said that MPs should focus on their day job, saying Matt hasn't been present in Parliament due to his trip to Australia to take part in the show.
However, Lembit argued that Matt's I'm A Celebrity stint is no different to Ms Rayner's appearances on LBC, and recalled her receiving a gift of 11 dresses from a company after she spoke about the misogyny she faced over what she wears in parliament.
But Holly, 41, was quick to hit back: "I’m not sure you’re here to..." before Phillip, 60, snapped: "I’m sorry, what did you just say?" Lembit went on: "You haven’t got a 100% voting record yourself. Nobody has, no politician has, once again it’s easy knocking [Mr Hancock] down. When it comes down to it, he’s the first politician in the history of the jungle to be the main event."
Keen to clarify her fellow guests' claims, Ms Rayner replied: "11 dresses were donated to me by a company because of the misogynistic abuse that I faced about what I wear in parliament," adding that they were declared and that she didn’t ask for them, nor did her appearances take time out of her day as an MP.
And Holly again was quick to step in, telling Ms Rayner: "You don’t have to be here and defend yourself, that’s not your role on here," before adding: "We were talking about you, Lembit, talking about your friend, and in order to defend him, you don’t need to trample on somebody else."
Lembit responded: ‘I’m not trying to, I’m not actually having a go at Angela..." But Phillip interjected: "Well you were." This Morning viewers were quick to praise Holly and Phillip for stepping in, particularly Holly.
@RyanJL tweeted: "Bloody hell, the way Lembit Opik tried to come for @AngelaRayner on #ThisMorning. Loved how quickly Holly took him to task on that dress comment." @iambiancafh posted: "Well done @hollywills and @Schofe for stepping in for @AngelaRayner just now. #thismorning."
However, some were quick to point out double standards. @MadameMinge tweeted: "But Angela, you’re sitting on the #thismorning sofa right now, you can’t say you don’t do things that aren’t for the benefit of your constituents…" @suzysasha said: "#ThisMorning Angela Rayner complaining about Hancock doing a day job while she's sitting on TM sofa being interviewed for the second time in a few weeks."
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