This Morning is never shy when it comes to a controversial topic or two – with today’s show opening with a segment about men suffering from post natal depression.
And if that weren’t enough, fans were outraged just a few minutes later when half-term hosts Ben Shephard and Amanda Holden spoke with a mother and son who regularly hunt and eat SQUIRRELS.
The duo had even brought some squirrel pate with them – saying it had a “sweet” flavour.
Mum Rosie told Ben and Amanda that cooking was her passion, and she’d learned to cook the game that son Dave had brought home.
It started when he was just a teenager and brought back a pigeon he’d shot with an air rifle.
Amanda Holden – who is a vegetarian – immediately asked them: “Do you not feel bad shooting things?”
And Dave said that he didn’t, continuing: “If I did I wouldn’t do it and I’d be a vegetarian myself.
“I am an animal lover, what makes me feel bad is if I see an animal in distress. I don’t like that. But as far as rabbits, squirrels, pigeons are concerned it’s food.”
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However, Elisa Allen, Director at PETA UK who was also at the table immediately interjected, pointing out: “It comes down to this – squirrels belong in trees, not in sandwiches or pate.
“If a group of people were out shooting dogs and cats, we wouldn’t call it a culinary adventure – we’d call it animal cruelty.”
The controversial topic didn’t stop Ben Shephard from taking a bite of some squirrel pate on toast.
He chewed thoughtfully, then said to his guests: “I’m surprised by the flavour, I thought it would be much stronger.”
To which they replied that squirrel has a fairly delicate, almost sweet taste.
However, fans were absolutely not impressed to see what they thought of as animal cruelty on air.
One said: “I would rather eat nothing”
While another wrote: “Aw @benshephard so disappointed to see you eat squirrel.”
However, some fans were delighted to see Ben chow down on what many view as a verminous, invasive species – especially as the representative from PETA was right next to him.
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We think Ben was pretty brave to tackle the unusual delicacy – but we prefer our squirrels in trees than in bowls!