Yahoo News This Morning viewers poke fun at 'Tower block Traceys' allegation
An MP said he'd heard that daytime production staff used the phrase
This Morning viewers have been poking fun at claims that staff on the ITV show referred to their audience as “Tower block Traceys”.
The phrase emerged as ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall appeared before a committee for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, following the resignation of Phillip Schofield and allegations of bullying on the show.
During the meeting, MP John Nicolson asked if it was true that production staff on This Morning referred to their audience as “Tower block Traceys”.
Read more: Amanda Holden slams reports of Holly Willoughby feud as 'utter rubbish'
He said he’d been told that if an item was considered “highbrow”, during meetings staff would question whether it would appeal to the “Tower block Traceys”.
McCall and ITV's director of television Kevin Lygo both said they had “never heard” that phrase.
McCall also insisted that the broadcaster would not describe the audience in that way, emphasising that the daytime team on every ITV show really “cares about the audience”.
But many viewers couldn’t resist tweeting about the allegation.
As the ITV show aired on Thursday (15 June), one person tweeted: “Being a Tower Block Tracy today. I hope they don't have too many highbrow segments on #ThisMorning because I won't like it.”
Another said: “How are all the 'Tower block Traceys' out there @thismorning? Doing well, I trust?”
“My block of flats is only 3 floors. Does that qualify as a tower block?” wondered another.
One said: “I for one am neither called Tracey, nor live in a tower block. But I'm 100% up for being one.”
“Somebody phone in today and say they are Tower block Tracey,” urged another viewer.
However, other people suggested if it was true, they would be switching off.
“I would like to say that us ‘Tower block Traceys’ are the reason why this s***** show is still on the air,” said one.
Read more: Phillip Schofield: Viewers say it's time to 'be kind' after 'upsetting' interview
This Morning has been in the headlines for weeks after Schofield left and admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a much younger ITV staff member. The programme has also been rocked by claims of a toxic workplace.
Yahoo has contacted ITV for comment.
Watch: 'Do you share concerns Phillip Schofield is being hounded like Caroline Flack?': ITV boss questioned by MPs
