This Morning's attempt to usher in the festive season was met with mixed reactions, as viewers expressed their discontent over the premature Christmas cheer provided by the popular ITV program. During the Monday, December 23 episode, hosts Sian Welby and Craig Doyle aimed to get everyone feeling the holiday spirit, kicking off the show with the House Gospel Choir performing the beloved Christmas classic, "O Come, All Ye Faithful."
Following the choir's stirring rendition, Craig remarked, "Wow, that's amazing," to which Sian humorously quipped, "You do realize our mics were muted in case we started singing." The light-hearted banter was well-received by the studio audience as Craig added, "I was still singing along, and in my head, I felt like I was part of it," illustrating the joy the performance originally intended to create. Sian then thanked the choir, emphasizing, "What an amazing way to start Monday's show and thank you so much to the incredible House Gospel Choir with their rendition of Come Holy Faithful."
While the festive spirit aimed to encapsulate the season, the reality for many viewers was far from it. Craig mused about how Christmas Day would ideally be at his home, envisioning music and bonding around the piano, but Sian deftly countered, "But it won't," prompting Craig to revolutionize his prediction, saying, "We’ll end up having a big row later on or on the sofa asleep in a pool of chocolate, but that's Christmas."
Unsurprisingly, not all viewers shared the optimistic outlook presented on-screen. The social media backlash was nearly immediate, with many users taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent their frustrations. One disgruntled viewer stated, "Nah, too early for singing, thanks #thismorning," illustrating the sentiment of holiday fatigue so soon before Christmas. Another user chimed in with, "It's too early for this s***, jeez #ThisMorning," emphasizing the feeling of being overwhelmed by premature Christmas festivities.
Further complaints rolled in, with remarks like, "At least let me get some coffee / mulled wine down my neck before you start with the musical stage show stuff #thismorning," highlighting the yearning for comfort before the cheeriness of carols.
On the flip side, some viewers found joy in Craig and Sian's hosting dynamic. Positive comments included sentiments like, "Good to see Craig and Sian this morning" and "#ThisMorning Best presenting duo Craig and Sian," showcasing the appreciation for the dual's chemistry even amid controversy.
The absence of regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, who usually helm the program, was also commented on. Fans of Cat and Ben need not worry—this dynamic duo is set to return for a special Christmas episode on Christmas Day, where they will join Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond for what is billed as an exciting pre-recorded segment.
This Morning continues to air weekdays from 10 AM on ITV and ITVX, leaving many viewers wondering what other surprises might await them during the holiday season. The endeavor to balance festive spirit with viewer expectations remains delicate, evidenced by the mix of joyful and disgruntled feedback from audiences. How will they respond to future attempts to create early holiday cheer?
