Thank you to the 50,000+ who have already signed

Over 50,000 people have now signed the petition to axe the two pictured celebrities, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, from TV. 

In little under a week the petition jumped to 50,000+, and that’s purely from word of mouth and from all of your efforts to share the petition. So thank you.

What’s interesting is that the biggest peak and sharpest increase in numbers came throughout Tuesday, and after their ‘journalism’ efforts were shown and after they made their second mistake. 

I didn’t watch it, but quickly learned through other means that there was no apology. I think some of their viewers would have genuinely hoped that the two hosts would be remorseful. Regardless of whether or not they were there in the professional capacity claimed, they could’ve admitted to making an error of judgement - either led by ITV, or as free-thinking individuals who should take responsibility for their actions. 

However, instead they forced a narrative on viewers that basically reinforces my message. 

So to recap, this is why this petition is still live and continuing to attract supporters: 

There was no apology of any value.

ITV didn't say they were foolish to put their presenters in that position. The hosts still claim they are accredited journalists, which to many was a surprise. I personally think that they sell to the vulnerable, and read autocues rather than act as a journalist. Their form of journalism, if we can call it that, is ugly if they still think that death, and grief, should be filmed for their tv show - especially when other channels were already live streaming. They added no reportage value to any of the proceedings. We learnt nothing new, and everything had well and truly been documented. Many people are brandishing it as a misrepresentation of the truth. Perhaps one they’ve convinced themselves of, but nonetheless, a lie. 

They said “we saw the Queen for the people that couldn’t go.” 

I'm pretty sure everyone knew by that point exactly what was happening, and I'm sure, no one asked for autocue readers to represent them. 

They are still lacking self-awareness as to why people want them removed from television. 

The TV show and their hosts don't seem to understand why they’re out of favour with the public. They assume that it’s still just #queuejumpgate causing this flurry, which they hope will soon pass. But that’s why their style of hosting is a dangerous one, and one that points to narcissism.  

Narcissistic characters don't ever realise when they've done something wrong, and even more frighteningly, they don't realise when people just don't like them anymore. That's what I think has happened here. They still think everyone's mad cos of a queue jump, but this is deeper than that. People no longer like or trust them, and therefore don't want to see them on every tv advert, radio advert, their voices being played into high street retailers, and finally, on daytime TV almost every single day.

I recognise that there are more important world issues, just like everyone signing. But the reason I felt compelled to start this is because of the danger of having hosts who believe they are more important than they actually are. And who point the finger, attack, squirm their way out of things, and do it without repercussions. And often on topics that do matter, including health, finance, and politics.

I've compared the show to Jeremy Kyle's show. For those that don't know, it was show that ran for about 14 years, and only got stopped when a number of suicides from participants were made public. Again, no repercussions as far as I’m aware took place. While this show isn't as abusive as Kyle's, it is as damaging to mental health, and in my view, humiliating their own viewers. 

To give an example from Tuesday’s show, the humiliation was that their presenters stood firm that they were right and you, as the viewer, were wrong. In muted yet passive aggressive tones they reiterated their own narrative - you’ve got it all wrong, we are nice really. 

And since Tuesday, more articles have emerged arguing that one of the presenters is devastated that their reputation has been compromised. And while I do not wish to see anyone suffer, unfortunately these people have inflated their own egos, and are now seeing them deflate. Unfortunately, the host affected the most did the voiceover to the apology - work that usually they get paid very well for, and it turns out, the people listening didn’t like it very much. So, unfortunately this is the gameshow that they both created, and now they are both having to see it from the other side. 

And to repeat - while I may not welcome the presenters pictured, I am an advocate of mental health and I would not wish harm to anyone. I hope ITV have taken some accountability and will make sure that all their hosts have mental health support.

My original standpoint remains though. I do not want to see, hear, or read about This Morning and its hosts, and like today, even its panellists. Spreading hostility and aggression in the form of snippets of toxic discussions.

That's why this petition will remain open for as long as people feel compelled to sign, or to acknowledge that times are changing and this show and these hosts have long served their purpose. 

I would also hope this raises awareness on the types of harm these tv shows do - both to their viewers, and to their hosts or guests. 

And a final word for the 50,000+ people. I was prepared to write for myself and 300 people. And overnight that grew to 50,000. I haven’t yet shared my full letter with ITV or related agents. My aim is to wait until the end of the week. That way I can collate my thoughts, take time to contact the right people, and deliver officially the voices of thousands of people. 

Once again, I thank anyone who has helped to raise awareness. This petition now has power because of you.