Good Morning Britain viewers have called out co-host Richard Madeley after he referred to a parenting expert as “darling” during a discussion about Netflix hit series Squid Game.
During the breakfast show, there was a debate on whether the South Korean dystopian drama is “fit for kids.”
Parenting expert Jane Evans and crime writer Mark Billingham took part in the discussion with Madeley and co-host Susanna Reid.
Ever since the show dropped, Squid Game is fast becoming one of the most-watched Netflix series ever.
Despite the show being given a 15+ rating, there have been reports of children recreating the scary childhood games in the school playground, which has led Central Bedfordshire Council to email parents about “aggressive” primary pupils, the BBC reported.
It’s the biggest rated Netflix show of all time but a school has issued parents with a warning about 'Squid Game' that pupils should not be allowed to watch the show as they are replicating it in the playground.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) October 20, 2021
Is 'Squid Game' fit for kids or has it crossed a line? pic.twitter.com/xRcm5IZyyM
Jane told the programme that she hopes children stay away from the show as “they don’t have the emotional or psychological maturity to make any sense of this.”
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While Mark argued that Squid Game “is no more violent than dozens of other shows” and added that the real moral issue is if parents are letting young children watch the gory series.
'It was scaremongering.'
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) October 20, 2021
Crime writer Mark Billingham says 'we've been here before' because Squid Game 'is no more violent than many other programmes'.
He says it's more of a moral issue if parents are letting young children watch an overtly violent programme. pic.twitter.com/BC5JcoWrAu
Richard then asked if the problem with Squid Game is whether it’s because it’s purely fictionalised and the violence is used for entertainment rather than retelling a historical event such as the violent battle scenes in the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan which is set in World War II.
In response to this point, Jane said: “I will be doing everything in my power to allow my grandchild, with my son and daughter-in-law, to have a childhood that’s magical.”
Richard then tried to ask Jane: “Do you not take Mark’s point that we’ve been here before?”
As Jane replied with a “no,” Richard attempted to continue talking.
He then upset viewers with his “patronising” comment as he interjected, telling Jane: “Hang on, hang on. Darling, just let me finish the question.”
Safe to say Jane didn’t look visibly amused as she pulled a face in reaction.
Viewers have since taken to Twitter to share their disdain at Richard’s comment.
Unsurprisingly, many have also compared the comment to something Alan Partridge would say - and there’s plenty more where that came from.
Richard Madeley calling someone darling on GMB is another level of Alan Partridge pic.twitter.com/ayNb9YwgY7
— Spenny_La (@Spenny_La) October 20, 2021
Richard Madeley is far more offensive than any show on Netflix.
— steve maloret (@steve_maloret) October 20, 2021
Straight out of Alan Partridge calling the female interviewee “darling”
His language and hairstyle both belong back in the 70’s
FGS it’s not ok and completely unprofessional for Richard Madeley to call the expert he’s interviewing ‘Darling’@GMB #GMB
— 🏁Mrs Nash 🏁 💙I Give a Monkeys (@HalcyonNash) October 20, 2021
@GMB did richard madeley really just call their guest Jane 'darling' or did I miss hear?
— Dianne Hughes (@DianneWalcot) October 20, 2021
#GMB #richardmadeley
— ~♡Debbie Lee♡~ (@PinkerbeIl) October 20, 2021
Could Richard Madeley be more patronising! "Hang on, darling, just let me finish the question"! to a female guest.
"darling"????
Her visible response says it all.
Badly done, Richard, badly done. pic.twitter.com/SIhGZBv6tx
Richard Madeley calling a woman 'darling' to interrupt her point in an interview totally chauvinist and went unchallenged. #@gmb.
— Paul Johnson (@paulpotsawyard) October 20, 2021
Richard Madeley trying to interrupt @janeparenting2 with "Darling, can I finish my question?" was condescending, inappropriate, and outright unprofessional.
— Matt Wyatt (@hipswellmatt) October 20, 2021
What is it with men who think they can use patronising terminology like that?
Not sure a presenter should be Calling female guests darling! It’s 2021 FFS 🤦🏼♀️
— Jessica Townsend (@jesstown) October 20, 2021
The 1970s want you back @richardm56. Shouting down this woman by calling her 'darling'. Unbelievable.
— Bee Kind (@BeeKind8) October 20, 2021
Yesterday on @gmb Prof Devi Sridhar appeared with 3 other (male) professors but hers was the only name displayed without the 'prof' title. Today on @gmb Richard Madeley condescendingly calls a female guest 'darling'. Every day sexism in action right there.
— Sara Luff (@luff_sara) October 20, 2021
Recently, Good Morning Britain was under fire for not giving professor Devi Sridhar her full title on-screen while her male counterpart was given his.
