September 29th 2023.
This morning left viewers feeling uneasy as Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary discussed the tragic Croydon stabbing of Elianne Andam, a 15-year-old schoolgirl who was allegedly trying to protect a friend when she was killed. Gyles Brandreth and Vanessa Feltz joined them on the show, along with guest Julia Bradbury.
Gyles described the incident as "heartbreaking", and said that the rise of knife crime is "so distressing". Vanessa added that it was an "agonising story". Following this conversation, the show moved on to talk about the chopping down of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland.
Dermot said it was "glib to move on" to the tree story, but it was dominating the news. Julia, who is a self-proclaimed 'tree hugger', expressed her sadness over the 300-year-old tree being chopped down. She said it was a "tragedy" and a "sad indication of where we've come to", adding that she "cares passionately that we are all very, very disconnected from nature now".
Reacting to the transition, viewers were furious at the show for 'comparing' the stabbing to the tree. Many took to social media to express their confusion at the comparison, with one person asking "Is it me or did this morning just compare the killing of Elianne and the cut down of a tree?!?!"
In the latest developments, a 17-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with Elianne's murder. A 16-year-old is also in custody in connection with the Sycamore Gap tree chopping. ITV has been contacted for comment.
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