Nik and Eva Speakman speak to the camera on This Morning today
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This Morning viewers criticise The Speakmans over ‘stern’ advice to viewer’s fear

Viewer James wanted advice for his fear of flying

On This Morning today, The Speakmans came under fire for their advice to a viewer during the phone-in.

Nik and Eva Speakman appeared on Monday’s programme to offer their advice to viewers calling in about their phobias.

James called into the show to get advice after developing a fear of flying.

Nik and Eva Speakman giving advice to caller on This Morning today
Nik and Eva offered advice to James (Credit: ITV)

This Morning today

James explained to The Speakmans and hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that he had worked for cabin crew for 25 years.

Read more: Holly Willoughby announces huge This Morning news with Phillip Schofield

However, five years ago, James had a “terrifying” incident which has left him with a fear of flying.

He explained: “I was on a flight and there was an A380 Airbus taking off before us.

Nik and Eva Speakman sitting around a table with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning today
The Speakmans came under fire for their advice to James (Credit: ITV)

“We went to take off on the 747 and they hadn’t left enough time between the take-off so we got caught in the wake of the aircraft.

“It threw the aircraft over, not totally over but quite a distance and it was terrifying.”

He continued: “The whole crew thought they were going to die and ever since then every time I go on an aircraft after that if there was any turbulence I was a bag of nerves.

“Eventually I just had to leave because I couldn’t stand it any more.”

Eva Speakman smiling on This Morning today
Eva said she was going to be ‘stern’ with James (Credit: ITV)

James said he loves flying and this has “taken the world away” from him.

He added: “I tried to go on holiday but I had to get off the aircraft because I was terrified.”

Nik said to James: “For 25 years, when did that happen? This happened because it was a new plane and it was a new experience.”

Eva added: “Can I be a little bit stern with you? I really want you to let this go because you’ve had 25 years of amazing adventures.

Nik and Eva Speakman look serious on This Morning today
James has a fear of flying (Credit: ITV)

This Morning phone-in

“You faced the worst case scenario and still nothing happened, what right have you got to give an airplane a hard time that it’s ever let you down?

“Next question, when in your lifetime has an airplane let you down?”

James replied: “It’s never let me down…”

Eva then cut in: “When you were learning to walk, you fell over loads of times. But not once did you go, ‘this isn’t for me mate.’

“It was only a one-of. You didn’t die, you were safe and you’ve got more evidence than anyone that those pilots know what they’re doing.”

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The Speakmans

As the call came to an end, Eva admitted: “That was a bit mean then,” as Holly and Phil quickly reassured her.

However, on Twitter, viewers weren’t impressed with the advice.

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One wrote: “This advice is ridiculous – ‘pull yourself together, get over it!'”

Another said: “You didn’t die on the plane get, over yourself. Advice from The Speakmans.”

A third tweeted: “The Speakmans were a disgrace this morning, people only need a one time incident to develop a phobia, they of all people should know this.”

What did you think? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)