A heated segment on ITV's This Morning has sparked outrage, with presenter Ben Shephard finding himself at the centre of a viewer storm. The veteran host was accused of delivering a 'typical male response' and 'missing the point entirely' during a delicate conversation about gender dynamics.
The controversy erupted during a discussion with agony aunt Deidre Sanders. A viewer had written in, seeking advice after her husband made a comment she found deeply offensive regarding their daughter's career aspirations versus her appearance.
Where Ben 'Missed The Point'
As Shephard attempted to play devil's advocate and see the situation from the husband's perspective, the show's audience swiftly turned on him. Viewers flocked to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their fury, arguing that Shephard's attempt at balance completely dismissed the core issue of ingrained sexism.
One incensed viewer posted: 'Ben Shephard has totally missed the point. It’s not about the compliment, it’s about the underlying message that a woman’s value is tied to her looks. Typical male response!' This sentiment was echoed by dozens of others who felt the host was inadvertently perpetuating the very problem being discussed.
A Divided Studio and Social Media Firestorm
Co-host Cat Deeley appeared to align more with the audience's perspective, carefully highlighting the problematic nature of the husband's remarks. The clear divide in the studio only served to fuel the online debate further.
The backlash was swift and severe, with comments criticising Shephard's approach flooding the show's official social media feeds. Many long-time fans expressed their disappointment, suggesting his commentary was out of touch and failed to grasp the nuanced nature of modern gender politics.
The incident highlights the challenges live television faces when navigating complex social issues, where a single misstep can trigger a rapid and powerful backlash from a socially-conscious audience.
