This Morning viewers were left frustrated and angry by Matt Hancock on Monday when the Health Secretary was put on the spot about the effect coronavirus will have on Christmas this year.
Hancock appeared right at the start of the show, an hour before Professor Chris Whitty, the Government's Chief Medical Officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the Chief Scientific Adviser delivered a televised briefing to the nation which made for worrying viewing as they hit home just how bad things could get in regards to infection rates and potential deaths if things get out of hand again.
Prior to their address, their Government colleague Hancock was grilled on a number of pressing matters by This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, including testing and Christmas.
The issue of the festive season was addressed hours earlier by GMB presenter Piers Morgan, who warned that the UK might have to 'miss Christmas' this year.
And, while Hancock was slightly more reassuring, his answer on the subject did not go down well with viewers.
The Health Secretary told Phillip and Holly: "We want Christmas to be as normal as possible.
"It depends on how much we control it (the virus)now. If it gets out of control now then we'll have to take heavier measures in the future.
"The more we can control it now with everyone doing their bit, including us, everybody together, then the easier it will be to have as normal a Christmas as possible.
"It's what so many people are looking forward to and it's what I'm hoping for my family and I just hope that we can get there."
Viewers were less than impressed with his answer. One took to Twitter to rant: "Utter tripe. If 40% of the nation is bankrupt there will be no Christmas anyway," and another posted: "On @thismorning Matt Hancock said he hoped Christmas would be as normal as possible.
"What planet is he on? Panto cancelled, Xmas markets following suit, no parties or gatherings, assume Santa’s getting the elbow as well...what’s his definition of normal exactly?"
A third ranted: "Does Matt Hancock think we’re stupid? He reckons it will be a “Normal Christmas” - it’s already cancelled you lying dope..." and another alluding to the Dominic Cummings debacle, another quipped: "My family and I are going to go for an eye test on Christmas Day."
