ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly has sparked a significant viewer backlash after she was seen laughing at a preview for a segment featuring a man with the world's smallest penis. The incident occurred at the end of her own show, Lorraine, on Wednesday, prompting a wave of criticism on social media where fans told the host to 'grow up'.
An Ill-Timed Outburst
During the handover to the following programme, This Morning, Lorraine, 66, linked up with hosts Cat Deeley, 49, and Ben Shephard, 51. Deeley informed viewers they would be 'meeting the man with the world's smallest penis', to which Shephard added, 'a little bit of everything for you today, Lorraine'.
The veteran broadcaster was then seen struggling to contain her reaction. 'Honestly, honestly...' she said, before bursting into laughter and exclaiming, 'Only on This Morning!' She continued the joke, saying, 'I will see you at 9:30am, and we'll all just decide who it is that has got the smallest winky.'
Viewer Fury on Social Media
The reaction from the audience was swift and critical. Many took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their disappointment in the presenter's conduct.
One user wrote pointedly, 'Dear me #Lorraine, grow up. #ThisMorning.' Another simply asked, 'Why is she laughing?' while a third stated, '#lorraine was just as bad with her laughing.' The consensus was clear: viewers felt the laughter was inappropriate given the serious nature of the upcoming interview.
The Serious Story Behind the Segment
The guest in question was Michael Phillips from North Carolina, who appeared on This Morning to discuss being medically diagnosed with a micropenis. He participated in the programme to raise awareness and destigmatise the condition for other men.
While the average penis size in the UK ranges from 3.5 to 5.8 inches, Michael measures just 0.38 inches. He first became aware of the issue in high school but believed he was a 'late bloomer'. Doctors have since been unable to help him increase his size due to the delayed diagnosis.
Michael revealed the profound impact on his life, stating it had 'ruined his love life' since he began dating. He also explained the practical challenges, such as having to find a bathroom stall every time he needs to urinate, as using a urinal is impossible.
During the interview with Deeley and Shephard, he spoke about the difficulty of broaching the subject in relationships, having tried every approach from being upfront to saying nothing at all. He encouraged other men to seek help early, emphasising, 'It should be known that this is a medical condition.'
The segment aimed to foster understanding, making Lorraine Kelly's prior laughter appear particularly insensitive to many watching at home.
