Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield appeared a little lost for words after they received a call from a viewer who wanted to tell her family she was sorry for being disabled. The hosting duo were back at the helm of Wednesday's edition (March 30) of the ITV daytime show and they were joined by agony aunt Deidre Sanders who was on hand to take more call from viewers in today's phone-in which was centred around 'saying sorry'.
Among the callers was a lady known as 'Isla' who was in tears even before uttering a word to Holly and Phillip. "Darling, I've just read the start of this and I can hear you're upset and it feels like an apology you really don't need to make," Holly started.
'Isla' went on to explain that her mum had passed away and she hadn't the chance to tell her that she was "sorry for being born disabled" and so she wanted to share the message with her sister and her dad but could barely speak through tears.
As she told Holly, Phil, and Deidre that she felt overwhelming guilt that her immediate family had to look after her and "put their lives on hold", Deidre also appeared choked up and replied: "I'm really glad you did phone in, even though you've got nothing to apologise for.
"This is a growth experience for everybody, please don't feel like you have to apologise. They have the privilege of loving you and the privilege of helping you. You didn't need to say sorry to your mum, your mum loved you."
Holly, who also appeared saddened by what she had heard, added: "Oh darling. I understand this is a real feeling for you. But your family love you, they want to be there for you, like we would help each other anyway whether you were disabled or not."
She added: "We think you're amazing for phoning in," as Phillip said as their phone call came to an end: "I think you've been enriching for your family. For even this to cross your head, in all the years we've sat here, all the phone-ins we've done, I don't think I've ever heard someone say that before sitting here."
And the call also left This Morning viewers feeling 'heartbroken' as they rushed to have their say on social media.
@TheThoughtStore tweeted: "My heart is breaking for the lady calling in #ThisMorning How could you ever be made to feel that you need to apologise for being disabled."
"#thismorning oh my goodness, this has just broken my heart! Apologising for being for disabled!? I just want to give this woman a big hug," @u4ria1978 commented.
@PeachesNPlum said: "#ThisMorning A woman called up to apologise for being disabled. I’m heartbroken."
"Isla.. my heart breaks for you. Never apologise for being disabled, your family won’t think you’re a bother, they love you," @DavidMackayy added.