ITV This Morning fans left sickened as guest eats raw chicken live on air as part of his diet

This Morning viewers were left gobsmacked as a guest munched on raw chicken during the live broadcast, with Cat Deeley visibly squirming at his description of it being "squishy and slimy".

Cat, alongside co-presenter Ben Shephard, engaged with Weston Rowe from Nebraska, who dialled in to discuss his unconventional diet consisting entirely of raw meat, which he credits for his improved wellbeing.

Introducing him, Cat said: "Our next guest has quite the unique diet. For the last five years he's been enjoying meals consisting of raw spleen, kidneys and even raw chicken."

Weston shared that he consumes roughly 2lb of raw meat daily, amounting to 14lb each week, and attributes this diet to resolving issues such as skin conditions, brain fog, and tiredness.

Initially eliminating gluten from his diet and later adopting a "caveman diet" comprising solely cooked meat, Weston ultimately transitioned to an exclusively raw meat regimen, OK! reports.

Describing his first experience with raw meat, he recounted: "Rib eye steak. I guess that's the easiest thing to start out with, most people can handle that. I had a little bit of a gag reflex.

"I actually gagged for a long time but I knew it was the healthiest thing I can eat and I really enjoy the flavours now."

Dismissing concerns about foodborne illness, Weston remarked: "I find it kind of funny because I've eaten hundreds of raw chickens over the last five years and I've never gotten salmonella poisoning."

Viewers were left aghast as Cat and Ben dared him to consume a raw chicken leg on live television, to which he nonchalantly remarked: "It's really nothing, it's pretty bland. It's not too bad."

When quizzed about the texture, he described it as: "It's just squishy and a little bit slimy."

However, This Morning's Dr Zoe strongly advised against such actions, highlighting the risks of raw meat consumption including salmonella, clostridium, hepatitis A, and "a nasty worm infection".

Weston disclosed that his wife shares his dietary preferences and that they intend to raise their future children on a raw meat diet, a plan met with caution from Dr Zoe.

Social media was abuzz with reactions, one appalled viewer posting on X: "Is there an appropriate time in the day to show this? "

Another expressed their repulsion, writing: "I've had to turn over, this man eating raw chicken almost made me throw up. It was disgusting. I don't know who even thought of having this segment. So wrong! "

A third echoed: "Raw meat! Vile! " while another questioned: "Eating raw chicken though, how is he still alive? "

Someone else pleaded: "Stop with the raw meat bloke, it's knocking me sick."

The decision to air the segment also came under fire, with one person commenting: "Irresponsible showing this mad American eating raw chicken. Dr Zoe has explained why it's not safe, so why on earth have him on in the first place? ! "

Another blasted the show as they wrote: "We really should not be giving this character airtime. Eating raw chicken is absolutely ridiculous and ill advised. I'm wondering what he's aiming for with all the carry on."

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.