Vanessa Feltz has issued an apology to TV viewers after receiving backlash over 'irresponsible' comments she made on This Morning regarding coeliac disease.
Vanessa, 61, appeared on This Morning on Monday, 18 December and during the show's advice segment a viewer phoned in to ask for advice as their mother-in-law was enforcing a gluten-free Christmas dinner as one guest suffers from coeliac disease.
The viewer explained their 15 year old son is a "bit of a fussy eater" and would not eat any of the food provided.
Vanessa asked if she could perhaps bring some food for her son but the caller added that she had been told she couldn't do this, to which Vanessa said: "So she’s treating coeliac disease as if it’s a kind of fatal, potentially fatal peanut allergy."
She then argued that it was "completely unreasonable" to expect the house to be completely free of gluten, before adding that "it's not catching".
Viewers at home were less than impressed with Vanessa's comments, with many taking to social media to complain and insist This Morning should provide correct information about coeliac disease
Coeliac UK also penned a letter to ITV over Vanessa's comments, saying they were "deeply concerned" about the remarks made on This Morning.
On Tuesday, 19 December, Vanessa took the opportunity to apologise to TV viewers on her Talk TV drivetime show, where she was joined by Dr Saleyha Ahsan and a viewer named Jason, who suffers from coeliac disease.
She played a clip of the This Morning segment and began by saying: "I found myself at the centre of a social media storm this week, I'll be addressing that next."
"I said what I said there, but then I added that you should go in the spirit of Christmas and enjoy a gluten free meal anyway. I did not suggest that they put the coeliac in harm's way nor did I intend to show in any shape of form any disrespect to any one with coeliac disease," she continued.
Vanessa said she was "astounded" by viewers' reaction and "horrified" that she has upset people. She and her guests also discussed how coeliac disease impacts the body and the best ways to manage the condition.
She concluded her message: "I am astounded by the reaction and horrified that anyone is upset. I don't think that I said anything wrong but if anyone is upset that I am very sorry.'
"All I ever want is clarity and compassion and I am certainly not trying to play down coeliac disease. The last thing I wanted to do was upset anyone and I hope that I have made amends."
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