Follow OK! on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@ok_mag
It's been a difficult few months for stand-in television presenter Josie Gibson – as well as her fellow cast and crew at This Morning – following colleague Phillip Schofield's controversial dismissal and Holly Willoughby decision to step back for the summer.
And today saw the Bristolean fan-favourite host Josie, who fronted the show alongside Irish TV star Craig Doyle, subjected to further criticism – this time, from a guest.
Actor and presenter Michael Barrymore appeared on the show on Thursday, 3 August, to promote his brand-new West End directing gig, but the interview got off to an awkward start after he pulled Josie and Craig up on their hosting skills.
After they introduced Michael – who presented his own shows including Barrymore and My Kind Of People, before he was dropped by ITV in 2001 – he quickly jibed: "Did you script that?"
"Yeah, good isn't it?" Craig quipped back, before Michael added: "We need to do a bit of work on that."
Later during awkward exchange, Josie asked politely of his new stage show gig, "Is this the first time you've co-directed anything before?" to which Michael replied, "Yes, I've never directed anything."
"I do it like my career – I just wing it. I mean, I can do scripted stuff like you just did," he added, looking directly into the camera. "But I prefer to… I'm not criticising it! But people sitting at home are not interested in that.
"They just want to get on with it. Do you want me to come in and I'll do a bit of directing? We need to direct you [Josie] personally."
And fans watching the show at home were quick to pick up on Michael's attitude towards the presenting duo, with one hitting out: "I find Michael Barrymore very passive aggressive".
Another wrote: "This interview with Michael Barrymore on #thismorning is making him look patronising and immature making fun of presenters and their accents – I don't think this will help your comeback".
A third tweeted: "This interview with Michael Barrymore is making me very uncomfortable. I grew up with him, I went to see him in a show, he was brilliant. But there's a very good reason why it came to an end."
On the other hand, some viewers have found it saddening to see the formerly much-loved TV star looking uncomfortable on the This Morning sofa.
"I thought I loved Michael Barrymore. This was his big chance but he blew it," one wrote.
Another defended his dismissive attitude towards the This Morning hosts, tweeting: "Michael barrymore probly doesn't know Josie n craig".
Michael was one of the most widely-adored British TV presenters until he was dropped by ITV after the body of Stuart Lubbock was found in the swimming pool of his Essex home.
Six years later, he was arrested in connection with the death of Stuart at his then-home in Roydon, Essex following a party, and later released without charge.
Last month, the 71 year old hit back at his former employer for its "terrible" treatment of him.
He told the Daily Star: "It’s strange that companies don’t employ innocent people. Maybe you have to be guilty to get a job in TV, I don’t know. From my experience they don’t employ innocent people.
"It’s unfair, of course. It’s terrible. You’re supposed to support people. You’re supposed to support the people that work for you. You’re supposed to be caring."
He continued: "The amount of confidence you need to work the way I did at my peak was phenomenal and that took years to build up. When everything went my confidence was completely smashed. It has taken me 22 years to get that back."
Source: Read Full Article