Eamonn Holmes has taken to Twitter to slam various news outlets and “trolls”, following a backlash over comments he made during an interview on Thursday’s (3 August) ‘This Morning’.
Eamonn and wife Ruth Langsford were interviewing the parents of one-year-old Dawson Willcock, who has been diagnosed with an extremely rare type of liver cancer.
Wendy and David are hoping to raise £500,000 so that he can receive life-saving treatment in the US and at the end of their chat, Eamonn said: “Dawson, come back and see us when you get all your hair back, yeah? When you get better, and well, and lovely.”
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Eamonn, Ruth and the Willcock family
Steve Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
While the comment was said with good intentions - and came after a discussion about Dawson’s hair - a handful of Twitter users interpreted it differently, accusing Eamonn of being insensitive.
A number of news outlet then led their coverage of the interview with the negative tweets, instead of the family’s campaign.
Eamonn later took to Twitter to address the furore, stating that he “pities” his critics and labelling the stories “fake news”:
Eamonn also retweeted a selection of the positive messages he had received, including one from Dawson’s dad, who gave the presenter his full support:
Eamonn and Ruth are currently hosting ‘This Morning’ for the summer, while regular presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby enjoy some time off.
The pair are at the helm between Mondays and Thursdays, with various guest presenters stepping in each Friday.
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)