Fans of the popular daytime show "This Morning" voiced their discontent after host Kate Lawler's outburst during a live broadcast from an open-top bus in central London. This incident occurred on Thursday, April 3, as Lawler delivered news about an ITV competition while attempting to engage with viewers.
As she began her segment, the tranquility of London was interrupted by the loud wails of police and ambulance sirens nearby, effectively drowning out her voice. While attempting to inform viewers about a competition involving an Easter Egg hunt across the city, she expressed her frustration, saying, "Classic, police siren had to go off as soon as I started speaking," as she struggled to speak over the noise.
The situation escalated when Lawler, visibly exasperated with the continuous interruptions, turned towards the sources of the noise and shouted, “Do you mind I’m trying to tell them about a competition?” Her outburst garnered immediate backlash from viewers on social media, who labelled her behaviour as inconsiderate and self-obsessed.
Comments on the social media platform X included sentiments such as, “Would love someone to find out the incident that ambulance was racing to and forward the details onto Kate Lawler for her conscience to dwell on,” expressing concern for the emergency service's critical role in saving lives. Another viewer remarked sarcastically, “FGS London Ambulance Service, Kate Lawler’s trying to do a competition and you’re annoying her by responding to an emergency,” highlighting the perceived lack of empathy in Lawler's response.
As she attempted to refocus and continue her segment, she remarked, “Honestly, you couldn’t make it up, could you?” before noting the ongoing noise, questioning, “They're all coming out now aren’t they?” The remarks stirred further disapproval, with viewers commenting on the apparent disconnect between her desire to host a competition and the seriousness of the situation unfolding nearby.
In addition to Lawler’s outburst, the show had other notable moments that drew viewer attention, particularly during an interview segment featuring Gladiators stars Alex Gray, Ella-Mae Rayner, and Livi Sheldon. Viewers reacted to one guest's body language, perceiving it as an attempt to intimidate co-host Ben Shephard, leading to additional commentary focused on the atmosphere of the interview.
The episode, despite its lighthearted intention, stirred an unexpected controversy surrounding Lawler's interaction with emergency services, serving as a focal point for viewer discussions regarding public awareness and the responsibilities of television personalities.
Source: Noah Wire Services