This Morning viewers have criticised the show’s presenters today for their “disrespectful” handling of the Mark Lester interview.
Eamonn Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford invited the Oliver actor into the studio this morning (Friday 25 January), and proceeded to ask him a number of questions about his late friend Michael Jackson.
Read more: Phil and Holly explode in giggles at This Morning viewer’s POO tip
Having been invited on to the show to discuss the abuse claims made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in new documentary Leaving Neverland, Mark defended his pal Michael.
The 60-year-old former actor, who starred in Oliver when he was just eight, said: “Michael’s only crime was being naive.”
However, as the interview continued, many viewers at home called out Eamonn and Ruth for going way too far with their questions.
Viewers were shocked by the intrusiveness when Mark – who donated some of his sperm to Michael – was asked if he believed he was the father of any of Michael’s kids.
Eamonn insisted on asking Mark if Michael had kept the sample of his semen, remarking on the resemblance between Mark and Michael’s daughter Paris.
The pair also asked if Michael was infertile.
One viewer tweeted: “Oh dear, this is an awkward conversation about a very strange relationship.”
Regardless of how we feel about MJ, the way Mark Lester is being grilled about sperm donation is so outdated! I would find anyone asking myself questions like this when we have children so offensive. #ThisMorning @thismorning
— Abs✨ (@BeautyCalling_) January 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/chaym2/status/1088749005696368640
#ThisMorning gotta be the most awkward interview ever. This guy is babbling ehm and ahing his way through the weirdest questions ever. Move on please
— WMCC (@wmccwmcc) January 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/DivaOfTheDamned/status/1088751017771061248
That Mark Lester interview about Michael Jackson was both pointless and painful #ThisMorning
— Darren Haywood (@darren_haywood) January 25, 2019
@thismorning is anyone else find how Eamond and Ruth are treating Mark a bit rude and judgemental? just getting that vibe….
— Danni Greenhill (@danni_greenhill) January 25, 2019
Another said: “Gotta be the most awkward interview ever. This guy is babbling his way through the weirdest questions ever. Move on please.”
A third said: “Regardless of how we feel about MJ, the way Mark Lester is being grilled about sperm donation is so outdated! I would find anyone asking myself questions like this when we have children so offensive. #ThisMorning.”
One more fumed: “@EamonnHolmes what the hell kind of interview was that?!! The talk with Mark Lester was meant to be about the documentary, so what has sperm got to do with it!! #Disappointed. He totally ballsed that opportunity for the #truth up!”
“Was he infertile? What kind of disrespectful question is that?” seethed another.
Mark became friends with Michael in 1978 when the singer was in the Jackson 5. He’s now an osteopath and lives in Cheltenham with his second wife Lisa and the four children from his first marriage.
The documentary about global superstar Michael is premiering at the Sundance Film Festival.
The Thriller singer passed away in 2009.
Do you think Eamonn and Ruth crossed the line? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!