Dame Kelly Holmes was praised by Loose Women fans as she recounted her story of queuing to see Queen Elizabeth II's coffin.
The former Olympic athlete appeared on today's show alongside Coleen Nolan, Charlene White and Katie Piper. The panelists opened the show by paying tribute to Elizabeth II as the former monarch was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey yesterday.
Dame Kelly said she was in Liverpool after receiving a Diversity award, before she felt "compelled" to make the journey to London to join the queue to pay her respects to the Queen. She said: "I changed my arrangements, got on a train at 7am.
READ MORE: Eamonn Holmes reacts to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield queue row
"I got some warm clothes to change in the toilets at Charing Cross and ended up joining the queue. I have to say it was the most moving, joyous moment of togetherness."
Dame Kelly revealed she met a 90-year-old man in the queue named John Collinson, who waited seven and a half hours before first aiders appeared outside the Houses of Parliament and said he could be fast tracked.
She added: "I said you can go because you've done your service. He'd also served in the military and was talking about how King George VI had walked past him on his parade. He was so proud."
Viewers following the show praised Dame Kelly for sharing her story. Dame Kelly's ITV colleagues, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, have faced backlash when they were spotted paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Westminster Hall on Friday. People took to Twitter to accuse the presenters of "jumping the queue".
The backlash prompted This Morning to issue a statement to defend the hosts and clarify they were there in a "professional capacity". Viewers following Loose Women took to the social media and addressed Holly and Phil's queueing controversy after Dame Kelly shared her story.
Jo said: "Loved Dame Kelly Holmes subtly having a dig at Phil & Holly for not queueing. Yes Phil & Holly a 90 yr old queued for 7 hours!"
Caroline commented : "Brilliant. Kelly Holmes sharing footage of 90 year old man she met in 7 hour queue. And how she / he was offered to jump it but didn’t. Genius. On #LooseWomen. Immediately after #ThisMorning"
Kayt posted: "Well done Dame Kelly Holmes for not queue jumping unlike others."
Fordy52 tweeted: "I hope Holly and Phil were listening to Dame Kelly Holmes"
Allie posted: "Lots of emphasis on queueing, are #loosewomen throwing shade at certain 'journalists"
Holly returned to front today's This Morning and issued a statement to insist her and Phil did not jump the queue. She said: "We were given official permission to access the hall, it was strictly for reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person.
"The rules were, that we were escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked across a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
"None of the broadcasters or journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no-one filed past the Queen. We, of course, respected those rules.
"However, we realise it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump the queue."
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