Good Morning Britain viewers have hit out at the ITV channel after presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway posed some 'insensitive' questions to a Ukrainian guest on the show.
Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko appeared on Friday morning's programme after he announced he would house 150 child refugees in his lavish London home, and will assist with the settling of many more families in the UK.
But the ITV presenters were slammed for their responses to the Ballon D'Or winner, as they presented him with a list of questions about Russian Roman Abramovich, who as the Chelsea FC owner, has had his assets frozen due to the UK sanctions.
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Kate introduced the interview by saying: "You are a footballing legend, but you will be known to people for your time at Chelsea, when Roman Abramovich bought you in. Presumably, you worked with him, he was a massive supporter of you, you were a huge signing.
“It’s right at the heart of the awfulness of this - you’re Ukrainian, your family are in peril, and yet Roman Abramovich is Russian.
“How do you feel for your former club and the tensions about the loss of him from the club?”
Shevchenko replied: "t’s an incredible club and especially because it has incredible fans. I know it’s a difficult time for them, but I’m sure they’re going to come through."
But he reverted back to the victims of the war, continuing: “I have a chance to appeal to all the fans to play your part, do whatever you can to help Ukrainian people, they need peace.”
Kate then said: "We’re going to come on to your campaign in a moment, but if you were still playing at Chelsea and heard fans chanting Abramovich’s name, how would that feel?”
Shevchenko almost hesitated to respond, but changed the subject and replied: "I know in Russia so many people who are against the war. Speak out. Go on the street. Send the message. The world wants peace.”
Co-host Ben Shephard wouldn't drop the question, however, as he pressed: "Would you prefer Chelsea fans weren’t shouting Abramovich’s name or are there mitigating circumstances do you feel?”
And again Andriy dodged the question and answered: "I’m here to send the message across the world and also touch the hearts of the people who support my country.
“To help to bring peace in my country, because the situation is very difficult. [They’re] not even opening humanitarian corridors.
“I know families who have been staying underground for 20 days - don’t have food, don’t have drinks. They need medical supplies. They need help.”
Fans of the ITV show were left less than impressed with this interview, as they flocked to social media to accuse the hosts of being 'insensitive' to Andriy's situation.
One Twitter user wrote: "He clearly doesn’t want to talk about Abramovich - drop it! #gmb"
Another said: "This man is traumatised and you’re trying to get him to talk about Abramovich? Tactful! #GMB"
And a third wrote: "His family is in a war zone, I wouldn’t think Chelsea is high up on his give a f*** list. #gmb"
Further comments read: "Well done to him not taking the bait from Ben and Kate, it’s the last thing he is going to say so shut up!, #gmb", and "#GMB Shevchenko's family are getting bombed in Ukraine & Kate & Ben are more concerned with trying to get a viral soundbite out of him dunking on Abramovich. Absolute vultures!"
ITV's Good Morning Britain will resume on Monday March 21 and each weekday from 6am onwards.
