Edwina Currie sparked outrage on Good Morning Britain on Monday, with her comments about the rising cost of energy bills.
She advised people "not to get emotional" about bills and the ongoing rise in prices - before telling host Martin Lewis his choice of words to describe the crisis were "not helpful".
Viewers praised him though for "schooling" her, as she offered tips on how to use less heating over the winter, and was again against describing the situation as a "catastrophe".
As Edwina started urging viewers to place foil material behind radiators and offered other tips, Martin reminded her just how much bills had risen and the likely impact that this would have on families.
Edwina had said: "What we have to do is not get emotional about it to the exclusion of using common sense, to try and sit down to try and think about what we can all do, whether it is in businesses or in homes.
"Not everyone can I accept that, but many of us can do something. We have to be cool and calm. Panic and emotion, it drains the energy when what we need to do is conserve the energy and use it well."
Edwina then proceeded to offer tips including moving sofas away from radiators, and putting foil like material behind radiators to spread warmth.
Edwina said: "If none of us do anything else and expect everything to continue... we are not helping ourselves and part of all of this is actually helping ourselves, as well as expecting the government and the local authorities [to help]."
She then spoke of Germany handing their own rise in bills by turning off street lamps and shops being asked to reduce lighting.
While backing that her advice included great tips, Martin placed his head in his hands as he urged the former political to understand that the tips alone would not work to bring bills down.
This led to he pair clashing, as Edwina continued to suggest his choice of words were not helpful for people and their mental health.
Martin asked: "Edwina, isn't that a catastrophe? Isn't that a catastrophe? Let's be honest."
She barked back: "It doesn't hep using words like that Martin," to which he replied: "But it is a catastrophe, you may not like the language."
Edwina went back: "The language is not helpful," as Martin then replied: "You can't ignore the rise in bills, that's what is a catastrophe it is not my language, it's the practice of what is happening."
The guest then finished: "Let me get a word in edgeways," before urging people to get a piece of paper and work out what they can do to make their lives "easier".
Viewers watching at home were quick to call out Edwina for her words, especially her advice to not get "emotional" over the rising bills.
Calling her "out of touch", viewers took to Twitter to hit out at her words, while applauding Martin for his response.
One viewer said: "Edwina Currie currently telling people just to move their sofa away from the radiator and wear a jumper to get us out of the cost of living crisis on #GMB - finger on the pulse as always."
Another tweeted: "How can Edwina Currie say for people to stay calm with the cost of living crisis."
A third added: "Over and over, Edwina Curry shows that she has absolutely no comprehension of poverty or the impact of the rise energy prices on ordinary people. She just doesn’t get it. People will be unable to cook or wash while she tells them to put clingfilm on their windows."
Meanwhile another said: "@MartinSLewis schooling @Edwina_Currie, you love to see it."
Edwina also sparked confusion during the chat, as she had a cardboard cutout of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson behind her throughout the interview.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
