Entertainment
Phillip Schofield called ‘insensitive’ after questioning why restaurants aren’t opening ‘for the sake of four deaths’
Phillip Schofield has been called ‘insensitive’ by This Morning viewers after questioning why restaurants aren’t reopening ‘for the sake of four deaths’.
The presenter spoke about lockdown restrictions on Tuesday’s show, criticising the fact that some indoor venues will be forced to close for good as a result of continued measures.
Speaking a day after hitting out at coronavirus scaremongers in a heated row with Matthew Wright on the show, Phillip highlighted the impact that restrictions are having on businesses.
UK data recorded four more Covid deaths yesterday in the lowest daily death toll since September. Following the news, Phillip called for restaurants and other hospitality venues to open while saying that the deaths were ‘tragic’.
Phillip said: ‘Tragic though every one of those deaths is, that’s four deaths in the UK that are keeping these places [shut]. They’re right on the brink – some of them will never reopen.’
Appearing alongside temporary co-presenter Rochelle Humes, the host added: ‘Some of these restaurants will never reopen, for the sake of four tragic deaths.’
Viewers took to social media afterwards, with some criticising the insensitive nature of the comments.
‘Phil is really insensitive lately. His interview yesterday was awful and now it doesn’t matter that 4 families have lost loved ones?’ one said.
Another added: ‘For the sake of four deaths???!!! Do those people not matter Phil because you don’t know them? ‘
It comes after Phillip questioned continued caution amid the vaccine roll-out and pubs opening across England for the first time in months last week.
More than 9.9million people have now received both doses of the vaccine across the UK, while nearly 33million have had their first dose.
‘All of the vulnerable people have been vaccinated,’ Phillip said, before questioning the number of people whose mental health has been impacted by the pandemic.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Phillip Schofield’s representatives for comment.
This Morning airs on weekdays at 10am on ITV.
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