This Morning is facing a backlash from viewers, after staging a debate about whether boys should be discouraged from crying.
The subject was raised following a recent interview with SAS: Who Dares Win star Ant Middleton, which raised eyebrows when he said he encouraged a “stiff upper lip” mentality with his son.
He also said that he would avoid making eye contact if his son hurt himself to deliberately dissuade him from crying, even admitting he would take a different approach with his daughter.
Understandably, his comments have been hugely controversial, with This Morning taking the opportunity to hold a discussion about it in Wednesday’s show.
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Wednesday's This Morning featured a controversial debate
ITV
However, the show’s decision to frame the topic as a debate has come under fire from viewers, many of whom pointed out the high rate of suicide among young men as reason alone to not present men bottling up their emotions as a valid argument...
This Morning’s debate featured building firm owner Glenn Slater and lifestyle blogger Vicki Psarias, with the former saying he felt the “tough love” he received from his own father had made him a “stronger person”.
Presenter Holly Willoughby also spoke of a need for more education, when Glenn said he wouldn’t encourage his son to cry for fear he’d be bullied by his peers.
HuffPost UK has contacted This Morning for comment.
The subject was previously raised a day earlier during a discussion on Loose Women, in which panellist Saira Khan took issue with Ant Middleton for his comments.
Saira said: “The suicide rates for men in this country are very very high. And when you look back at what they’re linked to it’s because they don’t talk about their feelings because they were brought up to not show their emotion.
“I’m sorry, I’m really passionate about this but I feel that he’s a great role model for many things but when it comes to this particular issue of parenting, I’m sorry but I think he’s really failing.”
This Morning airs every weekday from 10.30am on ITV.
Random TV pairings who've hosted This Morning
Nigel Havers and Lisa Snowdon(01 of13)
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If ever there was a more random TV pairing, we'd like to hear about it. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Mollie King and Mark Wright(02 of13)
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Former Saturdays singer Mollie was an addition to the presenting team over the summer of 2018, and was randomly paired up with former 'TOWIE' star Mark for one edition. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Michael Ball and Sara Cox(03 of13)
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Michael and Sara's one-episode stint in 2018 gifted birthed the best presenting duo name ever - ladies and gents, we give you Cox and Ball. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden(04 of13)
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Following tradition of married couples hosting the show, our Kerreh fronted an edition with then-husband Brian in 2001 - six years before *that* infamous interview with Phil and Fern. (credit:Rex)
Patrick Kielty and Emma Willis(05 of13)
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Patrick teamed up with 'Big Brother' host Emma Willis over the summer of 2012. While the pairing was perfectly pleasant, we're still wondering what made producers throw them together. (credit:Rex)
Twiggy and Coleen Nolan(06 of13)
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This part of This Morning's 28-year history is often glossed over, but you might just remember Twiggy and Coleen were picked as Richard and Judy's full-time replacements in 2001. They only lasted a few months in the job before being axed. (credit:Rex)
Jamie Theakston and Emma Bunton(07 of13)
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The former 'Live And Kicking' presenter hadn't been seen on screens for a while when he hosted some shows with Emma Bunton over the summer of 2013. But the pairing proved successful, as the Spice Girl was later hired to co-host his Heart radio breakfast show. (credit:Rex)
Tim Vincent and Kate Garraway(08 of13)
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We've not heard or seen anything from former 'Blue Peter' presenter Tim in yeaaars, but he did guest host the show with Kate Garraway in 2005.
Denise Van Outen and Richard Bacon(09 of13)
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Another random pairing, but both Denise and Richard had experience in hosting morning telly, having previously fronted Channel 4's 'The Big Breakfast', albeit it with separate co-hosts. Here they are on 'This Morning' in 2005. (credit:Rex)
Jeremy Kyle and Kate Thornton(10 of13)
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Given his direct, and often rude, approach on his own show, Jeremy seemed a bit of an odd choice to present the warm and friendly 'This Morning' alongside former X Factor host Kate Thornton in 2010. (credit:Rex)
Paddy McGuinness and Andrea Catherwood(11 of13)
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Another 'who the hell stuck these two together?' pairing came in the form of former ITV newsreader Andrea and 'Take Me Out' host Paddy McGuinness, who presented 'This Morning' together for a couple of episodes in 2011. (credit:Rex)
Matthew Kelly(12 of13)
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The 'Stars In Their Eyes' presenter stepped in for Richard and Judy with Sarah Kennedy back in the 1990s. (credit:Rex)
Amanda Byram and Jake Humphrey(13 of13)
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Amanda was best known for hosting the likes of 'Total Wipeout' and 'Something For The Weekend' and was teamed up with former CBBC-turned-sports presenter Jake Humphrey in 2013. (credit:Rex)