This Morning has been slammed with more than 600 Ofcom complaints after host Phillip Schofield made a jibe about Matt Hancock’s dyslexia.
The show garnered 628 complaints in total, with the majority – 626 – relating “to an interview with Matt Hancock”, according to the broadcasting watchdog.
The segment, which took place on December 7th, concerned breaking social distancing guidelines.
During the interview, Phillip couldn’t resist asking Matt Hancock about breaking social distancing guidelines after images emerged of him kissing an aide in his office.
But viewers thought Phil went a step too far when he asked: “Was it your dyslexia that meant you misread the social distancing rules?”
(Image: ITV)
The MP responded: “No, I can’t blame that on dyslexia or anything else. In fact, I’m not asking for any special favours ‘cause I’m dyslexic, you know?
“In politics, I’ve got some things to offer – in that case, that was a mistake and I’ve apologised for it. It was a failure of leadership because I came on shows like this and asked people to do things and then I didn’t follow those rules myself.”
Viewers of the show were left fuming with Phil’s “insensitive” question – especially as he’d appeared on the show to pledge more help for those living with dyslexia.
(Image: ITV)
The condition is a common learning difficulty which can make it more difficult to read and write.
Turning to social media, one fuming fan penned: “A totally unnecessary comment! He was there to speak seriously about dyslexia!”
“Say what you like about Matt Hancock but that question was incredibly disrespectful to anyone with dyslexia!” someone else agreed.
(Image: ITV)
A third viewer tweeted: “Shame on Phillip Schofield for mocking dyslexia, when referring to Matt Hancock breaking social distancing rules. Not at all acceptable.”
While another penned: “I’m unlikely to defend Matt Hancock but I think this is a [very] unfair question which kids with dyslexia will watch and see it as making light of something they struggle with on a daily basis – especially when it comes to others understanding how it impacts them.”
“Matt Hancock absolutely should be held to account. BUT when he guested on This Morning to discuss dyslexia, Philip Schofield asked him: ‘was it your dyslexia that made you misread the social distancing rules?’
“To use someone’s neurodivergence against them to score points is vile,” a fifth viewer wrote.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
