Good Morning Britain viewers have called out co-host Richard Madeley after he referred to a parenting expert as “darling” during a discussion about Netflix hit series Squid Game.
During the breakfast show, there was a debate on whether the South Korean dystopian drama is “fit for kids.”
Parenting expert Jane Evans and crime writer Mark Billingham took part in the discussion with Madeley and co-host Susanna Reid.
Ever since the show dropped, Squid Game is fast becoming one of the most-watched Netflix series ever.
Despite the show being given a 15+ rating, there have been reports of children recreating the scary childhood games in the school playground, which has led Central Bedfordshire Council to email parents about “aggressive” primary pupils, the BBC reported.
It’s the biggest rated Netflix show of all time but a school has issued parents with a warning about 'Squid Game' t… https://t.co/pZh02pLDQJ— Good Morning Britain (@Good Morning Britain) 1634712595
Jane told the programme that she hopes children stay away from the show as “they don’t have the emotional or psychological maturity to make any sense of this.”
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While Mark argued that Squid Game “is no more violent than dozens of other shows” and added that the real moral issue is if parents are letting young children watch the gory series.
'It was scaremongering.' Crime writer Mark Billingham says 'we've been here before' because Squid Game 'is no more… https://t.co/0lgG0Nl0Nt— Good Morning Britain (@Good Morning Britain) 1634713096
Richard then asked if the problem with Squid Game is whether it’s because it’s purely fictionalised and the violence is used for entertainment rather than retelling a historical event such as the violent battle scenes in the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan which is set in World War II.
In response to this point, Jane said: “I will be doing everything in my power to allow my grandchild, with my son and daughter-in-law, to have a childhood that’s magical.”
Richard then tried to ask Jane: “Do you not take Mark’s point that we’ve been here before?”
As Jane replied with a “no,” Richard attempted to continue talking.
He then upset viewers with his “patronising” comment as he interjected, telling Jane: “Hang on, hang on. Darling, just let me finish the question.”
Safe to say Jane didn’t look visibly amused as she pulled a face in reaction.
Viewers have since taken to Twitter to share their disdain at Richard’s comment.
Unsurprisingly, many have also compared the comment to something Alan Partridge would say - and there’s plenty more where that came from.
Richard Madeley calling someone darling on GMB is another level of Alan Partridge https://t.co/ayNb9YwgY7— Spenny_La (@Spenny_La) 1634713054
@Natalie49638378 @GMB Richard Madeley is far more offensive than any show on Netflix. Straight out of Alan Partri… https://t.co/6y07TAkM5m— steve maloret (@steve maloret) 1634723456
FGS it’s not ok and completely unprofessional for Richard Madeley to call the expert he’s interviewing ‘Darling’@GMB #GMB— 🏁Mrs Nash 🏁 💙I Give a Monkeys (@🏁Mrs Nash 🏁 💙I Give a Monkeys) 1634712942
@GMB did richard madeley really just call their guest Jane 'darling' or did I miss hear?— Dianne Hughes (@Dianne Hughes) 1634712936
#GMB #richardmadeley Could Richard Madeley be more patronising! "Hang on, darling, just let me finish the question"… https://t.co/XJT0r1TGv1— ~♡Debbie Lee♡~ (@~♡Debbie Lee♡~) 1634713825
Richard Madeley calling a woman 'darling' to interrupt her point in an interview totally chauvinist and went unchallenged. #@gmb.— Paul Johnson (@Paul Johnson) 1634712923
Richard Madeley trying to interrupt @janeparenting2 with "Darling, can I finish my question?" was condescending, in… https://t.co/fnRVRgWDSH— Matt Wyatt (@Matt Wyatt) 1634724372
@GMB Not sure a presenter should be Calling female guests darling! It’s 2021 FFS 🤦🏼♀️— Jessica Townsend (@Jessica Townsend) 1634712883
@GMB The 1970s want you back @richardm56. Shouting down this woman by calling her 'darling'. Unbelievable.— Bee Kind (@Bee Kind) 1634719748
Yesterday on @gmb Prof Devi Sridhar appeared with 3 other (male) professors but hers was the only name displayed wi… https://t.co/1SZFw32pKt— Sara Luff (@Sara Luff) 1634719019
Recently, Good Morning Britain was under fire for not giving professor Devi Sridhar her full title on-screen while her male counterpart was given his.