Yahoo News Dale Winton death: Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield slammed for ‘disgusting’ and ‘rushed’ tribute
This Morning viewers have lashed out at Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, accusing the presenters of rushing through a tribute to the late Dale Winton.
The duo remembered the TV star who died aged 62 on Wednesday in a two minute segment half an hour into Tuesday morning’s show.
Schofield announced the news before they took turns to read out three tweets from fans.
“As you’ve probably seen in the news, some very sad news, as we remember Dale Winton who died yesterday aged just 62,” he said. “Many people take to Twitter to share their memories of Dale.”
Willoughby finished: “Our thoughts are of course with Dale’s friends and family at this sad time.”
But the tribute caused outrage with many criticising the decision to not open the show with the news, while others disagreed with spending more time on a wedding dress segment and an interview with Zoe Ball.
One viewer tweeted: “Dale Winton gets a minute of airtime and I'm having to listen to this garbage about this idiots dress. He was a national icon. This is bloody disgusting! #ThisMorning.”
Another wrote: “The #loosewomen tribute to Dale Winton was so lovely and thoughtful. Puts #ThisMorning to shame for their rushed and impersonal ‘tribute’.”
So Zoe Ball gets more air time than Dale Winton, that segment was rushed and obviously put together very quickly 😡 #ThisMorning
— Fiona M (@FionaMcIntosh77) April 19, 2018
Quite disappointing that's there's a whole segment on this wedding, which isn't for another MONTH and only a 2min discussion on Dale Winton #Thismorning
— Carina (@EbonyWan) April 19, 2018
Dale Winton gets a minute of airtime and I'm having to listen to this garbage about this idiots dress. He was a national icon. This is bloody disgusting! #ThisMorning
— Fiona M (@FionaMcIntosh77) April 19, 2018
#ThisMorning Have @hollywills & @Schofe got a new producer or something. Standards seemed to have dropped of late. Not even a mention of Dale Winton's passing at start of show.
— David Gleeson (@Dave1555) April 19, 2018
#thismorning So disgusted @hollywills and @Schofe haven't even mentioned Dale Winton passing away. 😡
— CeciliaMP (@lady_cp) April 19, 2018
Winton's agent announced the news of his death in a statement on Wednesday. He said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Dale Winton who died at home earlier today.
“While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time of grief.”
The cause of his death is not yet known.
Stars were quick to pay tribute with Paddy McGuinness hailing him the “perfect host”, while Jack Whitehall described him as “a really funny and kind person gone too soon”.
David Walliams shared a selection of photos and memories online, telling his followers he has been left “heartbroken”.
This Morning is on ITV, weekdays at 10:30am
