Viewers of ITV’s This Morning have hit out at host Cat Deeley, accusing her of failing to challenge David Haye during a highly controversial interview that many have slammed as “misogynistic” and “disrespectful.”
The interview, which aired on Thursday, saw I’m A Celebrity South Africa star David Haye discussing his recent headlines, including his notorious comments about women’s appearances and his role in the “ugly bird” controversy. Fans, however, were less than pleased with how Deeley handled the situation — some even accusing her of laughing along with Haye’s offensive remarks
The Interview That Left Viewers Reeling
As the interview progressed, viewers were stunned when Haye boldly stated, “Ugly girls have better personalities than traditionally beautiful supermodels,” a comment that left Deeley chuckling awkwardly in the background.
Cat and co-host Ben Shephard attempted to push back, but the backlash continued as Haye went on to say, “Everyone’s looking for something to be offended about,” referring to his “ugly bird” theory. Despite Ben’s direct challenge, “But who made you the arbiter of what’s beautiful and what’s ugly?” the boxing star remained unrepentant, continuing to spew offensive remarks.
Fans Are Furious Over Deeley’s Reaction
The This Morning segment sparked outrage on social media, with many viewers accusing Deeley of failing to take a stand against Haye’s misogynistic behavior.
“Why did Cat find David Haye’s appalling remarks about women so funny?” one viewer fumed on Twitter. “You have to appear respectful, but allowing him to dominate the conversation without any real pushback was disappointing,” added another, pointing out Deeley’s passivity during the interview.
Some took issue with Deeley’s laughter, questioning why she did not confront Haye more directly. “Why was Cat laughing along when David was calling women ‘fat’ and making such degrading comments? She’s interviewed domestic abuse survivors and spoken out against misogyny—why let this slide?” a third fan commented.
“A Complete Trainwreck of an Interview”
Others expressed their disbelief over Deeley’s lack of action, calling the interview an absolute “trainwreck.” “Cat should’ve stood up for women and called out the ‘ugly bird’ comments. Instead, she looked like a schoolgirl laughing at everything,” one viewer added.
“This was a trainwreck, no other way to describe it. Haye was allowed to get away with his words, and Cat was clearly out of her depth,” another said, accusing Deeley of enabling Haye’s offensive views.
The Aftermath: A Show Under Fire
As the controversy continues to simmer, This Morning faces growing questions over its handling of controversial figures and the responsibility of its hosts to hold guests accountable. With many viewers demanding stronger responses to harmful rhetoric, it remains to be seen if Cat Deeley will address the backlash or if This Morning will take further steps to ensure its content upholds higher standards of accountability.
One thing is clear: the interview left many fans feeling disappointed and disillusioned with the way Cat Deeley conducted herself.
