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'Good Morning Britain' hit with complaints after Patsy Palmer interview

<em>Good Morning Britain</em> has been hit with complaints over a strapline the show used for an interview with Patsy Palmer. (PA)
Good Morning Britain has been hit with complaints over a strapline the show used for an interview with Patsy Palmer. (PA)

Good Morning Britain has been hit with complaints after referring to Patsy Palmer’s past substance-abuse troubles during an interview with the star.

The EastEnders actor announced she was doing “a Piers Morgan” and stormed off the ITV show earlier this month after spotting that the banner at the bottom of the screen read “Patsy Palmer: Addict to wellness guru”.

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has now said the episode – which aired on 17 March – has received 144 complaints.

Read more: Patsy Palmer reveals real name and admits even she gets confused

Palmer was on GMB to talk about her wellness brand and was visibly upset when she saw what the strapline said.

Ben Shephard is standing in for Piers Morgan on 'Good Morning Britain' with Susanna Reid. (ITV)
Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid apologised to Patsy Palmer. (ITV)

She told presenters Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid: "You know what, actually I don’t even want to do this interview because I don’t even want to look at what it says at the bottom of that screen.

"So I’m just going to switch off, do a real Piers Morgan and just say it's not OK to have ‘Addict to wellness guru’ on the bottom of the screen."

Watch: Patsy Palmer abruptly ends GMB interview

The presenters apologised, with Reid saying she had no idea those words were on the screen and Shephard saying they had not intended to upset the star in any way.

Palmer, 48, has previously opened up about her use of drink and drugs when she was younger, but has been clean for many years.

Read more: Patsy Palmer says she no longer wishes to discuss ‘old self’ after GMB interview

She received plenty of support from fans online after the GMB incident, with many saying that referring to her former struggles was not appropriate.

“Huge #kudos to #patsypalmer for knowing her boundaries and standing firm in the face of addict labelling from @GMB today - utterly astounding that they think it’s OK to do this,” one viewer tweeted.

Patsy Palmer arrives at the Amy Winehouse Foundation Ball in London .
Patsy Palmer has received plenty of support over the issue. (PA)

Another posted: “There are those that happily describe themselves as living or battling addiction or a recovering addict. But it is their chose (sic) how they are perceived. Never should anyone be given a label they have not agreed to. #patsypalmer is a loved actress, business woman and DJ.”

Palmer’s sudden GMB exit came just days after Morgan stormed off the set following a heated discussion with presenter Alex Beresford over his comments about Meghan Markle.

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