This Morning viewers have flooded Twitter with “dystopian” Spin To Win memes.
Viewers were divided on Monday after Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield made their return to the hit-ITV show after a long summer break.
To mark their return, they put a new ‘spin’ on their Spin To Win game in which players can win several prizes – including cash.
Amid a crippling cost-of-living crisis in the UK, producers at ITV decided to giveaway ‘ Energy Bills ’ as part of the game.
This decision did not go down well on social media, with some comparing the early-morning TV show to an episode of Black Mirror.
“How crass that This Morning thinks that a Spin To Win piece including payment of energy bills is appropriate,” slammed one viewer.
“This is minimising the fuel poverty cliff edge that will affect millions of poor and working poor people, people with complex needs and health issues who need heat to live,” they added.
Viewers have since taken to Twitter to share memes of the Spin To Win game, creating a number of fake prizes – including doctors' appointments.
“Jessica, Jessica, you’ll never believe it. You’ve just won a GP appointment!!!,” joked one person who shared a snap of Phillip on the phone in the back of a cab.
Another said: “ITV have revealed their new Spin to Win game on This Morning.
“Prizes will include: Access to NHS Dentist, a police visit if you get burgled, Kidney Dialisis Treatment, a full tank of petrol, nursing care for a relative of your choice, an EU Passport and a GP appointment.”
“Graphics dept now hastily adding ‘GP appointment’ to the Spin to Win wheel,” a third joked.
Another viewer joked: “Ring back in 5 minutes and you might win a blood test on spin to win.” A fifth said: “Hearing they are adding a trip to EDF Energy’s London HQ to the Spin to Win wheel today. Good luck all!”
Another shared a snap of a mock-up wheel, including prizes such as a £2 scratch card, a £10 fuel voucher, a roll of tin foil and even a kettle – seemingly making a dig a Boris Johnson ’s recent comments.
The controversial game returned again yesterday, with host Phillip making light of its bad press the previous day.
As the segment was about to start, he quipped: "Everyone's talking about it," in reference to the online backlash.
He then detailed the changes to the wheel, saying: "Well, loads of cash prizes up for grabs. Our boss has been incredibly generous, he's decided to increase the money to include all of your household bills.
“Mortgage, petrol, food, energy, you decide. We will pay your bills until the end of the year up to the value of £3000."
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
