Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

This Morning: Phillip Schofield responds to criticism of energy bills Spin To Win game

‘This Morning’ viewers expressed alarm over game to win payment for energy bills

Nicole Vassell
Tuesday 06 September 2022 11:25 EDT
Comments
This Morning offers four months of energy bill payments as prize on Spin to Win

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Phillip Schofield has responded after a clip of a This Morning call-in game resulted in widespread disapproval on social media.

On Monday’s (5 September) edition of ITV’s daily lifestyle programme, Schofield and co-host Holly Willoughby played a game “Spin To Win”, in which viewers can win a randomly selected prize from a wheel.

One of the new additions to the prize list, along with cash, was the programme covering the winner’s energy bills for four months as a way to help with the cost of living crisis.

Monday’s caller ultimately won the energy bills prize and audibly reacted with relief as he described dealing with his current bills as “absolutely murder”.

After the clip was uploaded online, thousands of people used social media to express shock that energy bill payment was being offered as a prize, with many calling the state of affairs “dystopian”.

On Tuesday’s (6 September) episode, Schofield appeared to address the conversation about the game while playing the day’s round. Along with household bills, cash prizes of £1,000 and £3,000 were available to win.

“I wonder how much of that they can complain about online,” he remarked, to which Willoughby chuckled.

Similarly, this comment has been met with criticism from some viewers.

‘This Morning’ play ‘Spin To Win’ with viewers
‘This Morning’ play ‘Spin To Win’ with viewers (ITV)

“I mean, it’s bad enough to be making the fact that so many people will struggle to pay their energy bills into a game,” one viewer wrote on Twitter. “But then, to try throw shade on those rightly complaining about how disgusting it is? Shame on you.”

Another person wrote: “Completely tone deaf. This is beyond ignorant.”

The Independent has contacted ITV for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in