'This Morning' star Eamonn Holmes 'mortified' after comparing doctor's hair to alpaca

Watch: Eamonn Holmes criticised for comment about Dr Zoe Williams' hair

This Morning’s Eamonn Holmes has apologised after he sparked a backlash for saying Dr Zoe Williams’ hair reminded him of an alpaca.

The presenter said he was trying to be humorous but that it was misjudged, adding that he felt “mortified” and wanted to “humbly apologise” to anyone he had offended.

Holmes, 61, made the comment as he and his wife and co-host Ruth Langsford were going over Thursday morning’s line-up for the ITV show.

Read more: This Morning star Holly Willoughby surprises nine-year-old girl battling cancer

Dr Williams appeared to say she would be talking about the health benefits of the animals.

“Your hair reminds me of an alpaca today,” Holmes remarked. “You just want to pet it don’t you. It’s very alpaca-ish.”

Pointing her pen at the camera, the doctor told Holmes: “Don’t touch my hair!”

He tweeted afterwards: "Hey everyone out there. If my attempt at being humorous with my friend @DrZoeWilliams was misjudged I am mortified and humbly apologise to anyone who was offended.”

The presenter’s comment had left many viewers fuming, with several flocking to social media to share their thoughts.

“Uh Eamonn what tf was that about? Have u learnt nothing?!” asked one person on Twitter.

“U never talk about petting a black woman’s hair. And saying it looks like an Alpaca?!”

Another posted: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey Eamonn what did you just say to Dr Zoe? Have you learnt nothing?!

"Never talk about petting a #blackwoman's #hair. Never ever say it looks like an Alpaca?!

"#thismorning I don’t watch ‘normal’ telly, only on holiday, now I know why.”

Another viewer said the comment was “a bit rude".

One asked how a conversation with a doctor came to be about hair.

“It’s not right,” added the viewer. “Five minutes later you talking about body confidence. So wrong!!! Micro aggression not funny.”

Read more: This Morning viewers delighted to welcome back Eamonn and Ruth

Yahoo has contacted ITV and representatives for Holmes and Dr Williams for comment.

Watch: Holly Willoughby surprises fan on This Morning