This Morning responds after charity's criticism over "damaging" segment
A coeliac charity has criticised This Morning for the way the show has portrayed the condition in a pre-Christmas advice segment with Vanessa Feltz – and the programme has since responded in its 'Ask a GP segment with Dr Zoe Williams.
Monday's (December 18) episode of the morning chat show, hosted by Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle, welcomed Feltz to the studio for an advice segment.
When a caller explained that her Christmas was causing tension, as the family member in charge of the meal had insisted on a gluten-free menu for everyone to accommodate one person who has coeliac disease, Feltz said: "I'm 100% on your side on this. This is absolutely ridiculous."
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The presenter went on to describe the situation as "unreasonable", noting that the caller's 15-year-old child is "a bit of a fussy eater".
"On balance, you're pretty much going to have to go with it. Have a snack on the way there, bring something to eat in the car on the way home, don't stay too long, but don't fall out with your mother-in-law over a bit of gluten, that's what I think. Or the lack of gluten," Feltz added.
On Tuesday, the show addressed the situation again in its 'Ask a GP' segment with Dr Zoe.
"Can we just clear up something from the phone-in yesterday?" Doyle began. "A lot of people are asking if we could clarify things with information about coeliac disease."
Dr Zoe set out some information about the autoimmune condition, saying: "It's a reaction to gluten, and some people with coeliac disease can have a very sensitive reaction – so even just the smallest little trace of gluten can actually damage, in the long term, their small intestine, and cause really severe sickness and illness.
"So I think, especially around Christmas time, for some people, it can be a time when they really do need to ask their relatives and loved ones who they're gonna be spending time with to make a few changes to accommodate them, so that they don't get sick."
Doyle admitted that he had known very little about "how serious [the condition] could actually be" and had decided to undertake his own research to try and learn more.
Zoe explained that the condition "affects around about one in a hundred people" and noted that many with coeliac disease aren't diagnosed.
"It's important, I think that as many people as possible know about the condition, because actually, they do require the community around them to help keep them safe," she added.
Gibson also asked about potential risks posed by cross-contamination, and Zoe noted that advice given to those with coeliac disease "who have a very sensitive reaction" might include having separate utensils or appliances such as chopping boards or toasters where sharing a household with people who don't have coeliac disease, to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.
Coeliac UK's website states that when it comes to cross-contamination, "even tiny amounts of gluten may cause people with coeliac disease to have symptoms in the short term, and gut damage long term".
After the original segment aired, Coeliac UK had taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express its disappointment at the depiction of the condition on national television, deeming it "damaging" and "inaccurate".
"Today on ITV's @thismorning, coeliac disease was discussed during a phone-in segment on the show," its post read.
"We are deeply concerned about the content and advice given to a caller attending a Christmas family event where all of the food will be gluten free to protect the health of a person with coeliac disease. We are actively following up with ITV."
Today on ITV's @thismorning , coeliac disease was discussed during a phone in segment on the show. We are deeply concerned about the content and advice given to a caller attending a Christmas family event where all of the food will be gluten free to protect the health of a person… pic.twitter.com/KJnVZ7wTKN
— Coeliac_UK (@Coeliac_UK) December 18, 2023
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"In the meantime we ask you to contact This Morning to ask them to give an apology to our gluten free community on air for this damaging and inaccurate information, and to engage with Coeliac UK to ensure their information is accurate in future."
The charity also shared a copy of a letter it had sent to ITV on its social media.
Coeliac UK ambassador Becky Excell also criticised the segment, writing in her blog that it contained "all of your favourite gluten-free stereotypes," such as "gluten-free people are just being difficult", "coeliac disease doesn't need to be taken that seriously – it won't kill you" and assumed that "gluten-free food isn't nice".
Excell also noted in her blog that "following a gluten-free diet due to Coeliac disease isn't a choice".
She also shared the 'Ask a GP' segment on her social media and invited thoughts on Tuesday (December 19).
Commenters noted that they wanted to see This Morning go further in its response, with some calling for an apology for the original segment on air, as requested in the Coeliac UK response to the phone-in item.
Numerous commenters also noted that cross-contamination affects all coeliacs to some degree.
Coeliac UK's open letter states that "cross contamination is a critical concern for individuals managing coeliac disease due to the adverse effects of even trace effects of gluten".
Digital Spy has reached out to ITV for comment.
This Morning airs on ITV.
For further information about coeliac disease, resources include the NHS and Coeliac UK, which has a dedicated helpline 0333 332 2033, open Monday-Friday from 10am to 4pm.
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