This Morning viewers were left stunned and divided after presenter Cat Deeley delivered what many described as a 'creepy' compliment towards her co-star Tom Swarbrick during a live broadcast. The incident occurred during a fashion segment where Swarbrick modeled an outfit inspired by Harry Styles' BRIT Awards look, sparking immediate backlash across social media platforms.
The Controversial Fashion Segment
Cat Deeley returned to the ITV daytime series earlier this week following a mysterious absence last week, joining regular hosts Ben Shephard alongside contributors Tom Swarbrick and Bryony Gordon. The discussion centered on Harry Styles' recent BRIT Awards performance, particularly his choice of high-waisted trousers, shirt, and tie ensemble.
Tom Swarbrick, aged 38, was encouraged to change into a similar formal look to mimic the singer's style. Reappearing later in the show wearing tight-fitting suit trousers, a shirt, and a bright pink tie, Swarbrick modeled the outfit before his co-presenters. After striking a pose and joking about needing a novelty tie to lighten the serious appearance, Bryony Gordon commented that the look made him appear 'young and fresh.'
The Comment That Sparked Outrage
It was Cat Deeley's subsequent remark that ignited controversy across social media. The 49-year-old presenter chimed in: 'I do actually agree, it does make him look a bit sixth form... which is strangely attractive, in a weird way.' This comparison to sixth form students—typically aged 16-18 in the British education system—immediately drew criticism from viewers who found the comment inappropriate.
Tom Swarbrick attempted to move past the remark by joking about transitioning from 'Harry Styles fashion icon to The Inbetweeners,' referencing the British comedy series about teenage school life. Cat Deeley continued by adding that the look 'reminds me of being a teenager,' with Bryony Gordon concluding that 'it's just the way that you wear it.'
Social Media Backlash Erupts
Fans watching at home quickly took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their discomfort with Deeley's comments. One viewer wrote: 'Oh dear Cat, that comment is going to haunt you,' while another stated more bluntly: 'If a male had made that comment about sixth formers there would be hell on This Morning.'
A third social media user observed: 'I thought that too. She did back it up by saying it reminds her of being a teenager. Thank god Ben didn’t say it.' The consensus among critical viewers was that a male presenter making similar remarks about a female co-star's appearance would have faced immediate and severe consequences.
Cat Deeley's Recent On-Air Mishaps
This incident follows another awkward moment for Cat Deeley upon her return to This Morning after her unexplained absence last week. During the March 2nd broadcast, Ben Shephard revealed that Deeley had accidentally sat on an iPad before the show went live, damaging the device. Deeley explained she was putting her shoe on and needed to sit down to avoid falling, quipping that she had 'blown the budget already, my butt.'
During Deeley's absence, guest presenters Angela Scanlon and Alison Hammond filled in, sparking mixed reactions from viewers. Some fans questioned Deeley's whereabouts on social media, with one asking 'Where's Cat?' and another commenting 'How far down the list of replacements was Angela Scanlon?' However, other viewers defended Scanlon's performance, with one praising her as 'a total breath of fresh air' and noting her 'top-tier' chemistry with Ben Shephard.
Previous On-Air Compliments
This is not the first time Cat Deeley has been involved in on-air discussions about physical appearance. Previously, she was left blushing when co-star Clodagh McKenna complimented her bottom during a cooking segment. McKenna had joked about 'the cheek or the bottom' while discussing pork cheek ingredients before directly stating: 'I did say earlier how good Cat's bottom is looking in these jeans. They really do.'
Deeley responded by covering her behind and blushing, telling McKenna: 'Oh my God, thank you... You are very, very kind and I think I'm probably blushing a bit now.' The incident highlighted the ongoing tension between casual workplace banter and comments that might be perceived as inappropriate in a professional broadcasting environment.
The controversy surrounding Cat Deeley's sixth form comment raises questions about double standards in television presenting and what constitutes acceptable workplace commentary. As This Morning continues to air weekdays at 10am on ITV1 and ITVX, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly offhand remarks can escalate into social media firestorms in today's digital age.
