This Morning was throwninto chaos on Monday after an embarrassing incident left the ITV hosts in fits of laughter. Presenter Kate Lawler, 44, was red-faced after being humped by her dog live on the show as she presented the breakfast show's competition segment from a beach in Southbourne, Dorset.
While telling viewers about how they could be in with a chance to win big, Kate was joined by her dog Shirley. Things took a more unusual turn when Shirley began to get overly familiar with her owner, humping her on camera. "Shirley, I said no humping on telly! Thanks for embarrassing me on TV!" Kate exclaimed as she struggled to maintain her composure.
The main hosts on the blue sofa, Sian Welby and Craig Doyle, couldn't contain their laughter as the camera cut back to the ITV studio. The scene quickly became chaotic as Kate implored her dog to behave, but the fun didn't stop there. The duo was soon left giggling uncontrollably, prompting Craig to apologize to the next guests for Shirley's 'naughty' behavior.
It wasn't just the presenters who found amusement from this unexpected escapade; viewers took to social media to express their delight. Many declared it was the best thing they'd seen on live television. Comments ranged from, "Shirley humping. Best thing I’ve seen" to, "Kate and Shirley. Craig getting the giggles. Perfect!" One viewer even quipped, "Humping Shirley, the little terrier with the Christmas sweater on the beach!!! THANK GOD SHE NEVER HAD A BIKINI ON!!!!!!"
Later during the broadcast, Kate experienced another mishap when she tripped and fell onto the lap of her guest after trying to enter a mobile sauna set up on the beach. The surprised man, wearing a vest printed with a naked torso, caught the clumsy presenter, leaving her laughing and grateful. After catching sight of the racy garment, she chuckled and apologized to her husband, insisting the muscled torso was fake.
Craig Doyle, still recovering from fits of laughter, remarked, "Father Christmas needs to know he's been a very, very bad boy," as Sian added, "That's totally done Craig in. He's gone." Meanwhile, Kate struggled to regain her focus, jokingly rotating the competition details, hoping to shift attention away from Shirley's antics.
Though the live antics were light-hearted, Kate has shared more serious aspects of her life recently. She has openly discussed the struggles within her marriage to husband, Martin, highlighting how couples' counseling had been pivotal. Just six months before they tied the knot, Martin suggested the therapy as they navigated their communication issues. "I wasn't in the best place and it was having a huge impact on our relationship," Kate revealed to New Magazine, reflecting on the tumultuous period post-pregnancy.
Despite the tensions, Kate emphasized the importance of the therapy, noting it helped to stabilize their relationship. She expressed gratitude for Martin's initiative, stating, "He just wanted to start our marriage on the right foot, which was totally the right thing." She described the therapy sessions as invaluable and mentioned they continue to have sessions every few months.
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1 from 10 AM and is available for streaming on ITVX. Despite the chaos of Monday’s broadcast, such incidents only add to the charm and unpredictability of the show. The lighthearted moments serve as welcome breaks from more serious discussions and allow viewers glimpses of the hosts' personalities and life behind the scenes.
