Top 10 Awkward Interviews on This Morning

In 2012, journalist Samantha Brick faced a furious backlash when she wrote an article claiming that other women hated her because she was beautiful. In this interview, Brick reveals how she has received thousands of offensive messages since the story broke, but if she had been expecting a sympathetic ear from her hosts, she was soon disappointed. Ruth Langsford has other ideas for why women might not like Brick, and judging by the presenter’s own comments, we’re guessing that she’s not Samantha’s biggest fan either.

Paris Lees and Angela Epstein appeared on the show in 2017, to debate whether boys should be allowed to wear skirts in school. And, with the women holding such contrasting views, it was perhaps inevitable that sparks would fly. The guests take turns to sneer and snipe at each other, not unlike the arguments that might occur in the schools and playgrounds they’re discussing. As tempers continue to rise, even the typically mild-mannered Phillip Schofield begins to lose his patience.

Following his recovery from prostate cancer, Noel Edmonds appeared on the show in 2016 to defend his belief that negative energy can make people more prone to illness. Most controversially, the “Deal or No Deal” presenter claimed that electromagnetic pulse machines could slow aging and tackle cancer. And it didn’t end with this interview, either. In the months that followed, Schofield and Edmonds continued their argument on Twitter, with Edmonds calling Schofield a “fool”, and Schofield calling Edmonds “tactless and insensitive”.

Introducing Bob Gibbins. He’s the proud owner of more than 240 love dolls, and in 2011 he decided to share his unusual collection with Holly, Phil and the rest of the world. Sat around him in the studio, the dolls arguably look like something from a low-budget horror film. But if you think they look creepy, just wait until Bob reveals what he and his wife actually do with them. Bob’s quick to assure Phil that his relationship with the dolls is purely platonic, but Holly is clearly very sceptical.

Mother of twelve, Cheryl Prudham, appeared on the show in 2016 to defend her apparent exploitation of the benefits system. Prudham was then receiving over £40,000 a year from the government, but Phil and especially Holly debate whether the money is going to a good cause. As the conversation progresses, Holly struggles to keep her cool, highlighting the plight of other people who struggle to get the benefits they need. Prudham, though, remains unrepentant, leaving her labelled in the press as Britain’s “most shameless mum”.

In 2017, this star of “How Clean is Your House?” appeared on “Celebrity Big Brother”, where she was at the centre of a number of explosive arguments. She seemingly went on “This Morning” to put the record straight, but Kim continues her antagonistic approach, and the talk turns frosty when Phil asks a question about money. It’s all downhill from there, with Schofield claiming Woodburn is argumentative, and Woodburn accusing Schofield of bullying. With neither side backing down, it’s up to Holly to hurriedly end the interview.

When Arran Lee Wright took to the show to talk about a sex robot he had co-created, the entire studio seemed sufficiently stumped. The robot is turned off, but we still get to hear a sample of suggestive lines it can say. And if that’s not weird enough, when Holly raises the prospect of a child stumbling across the machine, Wright makes this disturbing revelation. It is all too much for resident psychologist Emma Kenny, who promptly pitches her impassioned counter-argument.

To one of the more infamous moments in the “This Morning” back catalogue, and a 2008 appearance by Kerry Katona which left viewers genuinely concerned for the former singer’s health. Kerry was on the show trying to relaunch herself as ‘celeb to be taken seriously’, but her efforts backfired thanks to this slurred interview. Fern Britton seems to suggest that Katona had been drinking, while Kerry’s blaming her behaviour to medication makes for increasingly uncomfortable viewing. Phil and Fern also received some criticism for their handling of what’s clearly a very delicate situation.

Following a campaign by The Sun newspaper to get Richard Madeley to change his hairstyle, viewers voted in overwhelming numbers for him to adopt the look of Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy character, Ali G. And Madeley doesn’t disappoint. He appears in costume to interview Judy, who mostly humours her husband - in between despairing at his jokes. Opinion on Richard’s performance was divided, with some singing his praises. But, in terms of comedy value cringe, few telly moments can trump this!

Former “The Apprentice” contestant Katie Hopkins never seems far from controversy, but she really ruffled feathers in 2013 when she admitted to judging other people’s children based on their names. In the now-notorious interview, Hopkins explains how she won’t let her kids play with children whose names she doesn’t like - which leaves Holly reeling. And, as the argument grows more and more heated, Phil is forced to step in. But there’s a fantastically satisfying twist, when the presenters take aim at Hopkins’ own choice of child names - leaving their guest with egg on her face.