ITV This Morning in hot water over Gyles Brandreth's dig at late star and fans say 'it's tasteless'

Gyles made a dig at the late Kenny Rogers on Monday's show, as he joined Camilla Tominey in the ITV studio opposite Josie Gibson and fellow host Dermot O'Leary.

ITV This Morning has been flooded with complaints over Gyles Brandreth's comments about a late star. Gyles made a dig at the late Kenny Rogers on Monday's show, as he joined Camilla Tominey in the ITV studio opposite Josie Gibson and fellow host Dermot O'Leary.

Two images of late singer Kenny popped up on screen. One of him when he was younger and one of him after he had cosmetic work done. Gyles said: “Kenny Rogers is looking good. He acknowledges that he has had some work done.”

Josie said: “He looks incredible!” Camilla then asked: “Is he able to close his eyes?” Gyles added: “[He] looks totally surprised, like you’ve been woke up in the middle of the night!” before doing an impression of widening eyes.

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Taking to Twitter/X, a fan said: “Kenny Rogers died in 2020, lack of research by show producers.” Another wrote: “Well that’s a tasteless gaffe by Gyles, seeing as Kenny Rogers is dead!” Someone else tweeted: “Absolutely disgusting from Gyles, Kenny Rogers died in 2020!”

Another added: “Who’s going to tell Gyles and #thismorning that Kenny Rogers actually died a couple of years ago #oops #fauxpas #tasteless.” Rogers "passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family", his representative said in a statement.

Due to the global COVID-19 emergency, the family "is planning a small private service at this time with a public memorial planned for a later date", his representative added. Rogers, who also enjoyed success in partnership with Dolly Parton, had announced a farewell tour in 2015 but continued performing until 2017.

The multiple Grammy winner, who played the legends slot at Glastonbury in 2013, had planned further performances but called off the shows in April 2018 due to unspecified "health challenges". He said in a statement at the time: "I've thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years."