This Morning host Eamonn Holmes clashed with political activist Femi Oluwole over the use of songs such as Rule Britannia in the BBC Proms, due to their colonial references.
Femi argued that the songs were not the issue, but the wider issue is racism in the country, and he said the Proms issue was being used to deflect from, for example, racist comments Boris Johnson has made.
But Eamonn and his wife Ruth Langsford told Femi he had been booked on the show to talk only about the songs.
Nigel Farage also took part in the debate, arguing that the country should be proud of these songs and of its national heritage, and called Femi an "extremist".
"This narrative is being driven by the BBC, the same BBC that took two weeks to apologise for using the N-word on a live news broadcast," said Femi.
"The idea that this represents the fight for racial equality is laughable."
Eamonn read out a line from the Northern Irish national anthem, and he asked Femi if he had a problem with the word "slave" used in it.
Femi said he would need to know the context in which the song uses the word and said he would not be able to speak on the issue without that - but Eamonn pressed on.
He then mentioned a list of other European countries that had the word "slave" in their national songs and asked Femi if he took issue with that.
Several viewers felt this was highly offensive, and one tweeted: " #ThisMorning Eamonn Holmes is a racist this is excruciating, asking a black man why he takes issue with the word ‘slave’ ??? In that condescending tone too #ThisMorning."
Another wrote: "Oh my god. Did @EamonnHolmes ACTUALLY just ask @Femi_Sorry why he gets so offended by the word slave? And did Nigel Farage just call him an extremist?? #ThisMorning @itvstudios That interview was disgusting to watch."
"Very disappointed by @thismorning on their treatment of @Femi_Sorry today. Femi was articulate and knowledgeable but @EamonnHolmes tried to make him look foolish. Also, allowing #NigelFarage to call #Femi an extremist was uncalled for. #ThisMorning" added a third.
A fourth wrote: @Femi_Sorry asked by Eamonn for his take on the Irish national anthem, rightly and honestly he says he cant answer context free, is pressed in it anyway... #thismorning."
" #ThisMorning allowing Farage to call @Femi_Sorry an extremist for explaining why some people may take offence to the word empire or referral to taking over territories? Not ok," added a fifth.
MirrorOnline has reached out to a rep for This Morning for comment.
* This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10am
