Tearful viewers have praised This Morning for stepping in to help a wounded ex-serviceman buy Christmas presents for his child.
Peter, 25, phoned into the show on Monday morning seeking advice on how to cope over the festive period.
He explained how he’d been discharged from the army after being shot in the leg and just lost his job, meaning money was tight and he had no cash to buy gifts for his young son or family.
It was an incredibly emotional phone-in as Peter broke down sobbing, telling Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Langsford and agony aunt Deidre Sanders that he was also experiencing low moods.
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Peter said: “I just don’t know how I will deal. I was discharged from the army last year and recently I just lost my job and I can’t afford anything for my son for Christmas, anything for my family, my direct debits. None of my family know that I’ve lost my job.”
When asked why he was discharged from the army, he said: “I was shot in the leg.”
Peter agreed with Deidre’s suggestion that he may have post traumatic stress disorder, saying: “I do really suffer. There are some days when I’m good and some days when I’m really at rock bottom.”
Deidre said it sounded as if Peter’s not getting the support he needs, to which he said: “I don’t tell anyone the way I’m feeling.”
He felt completely alone as he hadn’t told his friends and family about losing his job.
That’s when Eamonn stepped in with an incredible offer.
Eamonn told Peter: “Our boss has decided we aren’t going to get paid tomorrow. Or they’ll cut down on Christmas decorations, or something.
“Either way, we’re going to find some money to sort out your kids with a Christmas present to take that little worry off your mind.
“It’s only a small thing, a small token, but we’ll be on the phone to you [more].
“It’s one small worry taken away from you.
“Is that okay?”
Clearly emotional, Peter could be heard whispering his thanks, before Deirde told him to stay on the line so she could speak to him off-air.
She urged him to confide in his family about his situation, saying: “I’m hoping Christmas will be a crisis that will prove to be a real benefit in the long run, as it’s a real sign you need help.”
Ruth told Peter he had taken the first step and admitting you need help is often the hardest thing to do.
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Eamonn then noted: “I thought today we’d be talking about all the things that cause rows at Christmas, but when you listen to someone like Peter, that just seems trivial now.”
The emotional phone-in struck a chord with viewers, many of whom took to social media to praise This Morning for the kind gesture, and send well-wishes and support to Peter.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV.