This Morning backlash after TV doctor makes 'controversial' vagina comment

Viewers of This Morning were taken aback when a TV doctor used a questionable term to refer to the female reproductive system, sparking a wave of online backlash.

The episode in question aired on Tuesday when Dr Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed was invited to discuss how to enhance gut health effectively. However, it was her choice of words, more than her advice, that caught viewers off guard.

While delving into the intricacies of how humans acquire gut bacteria, the specialist referred to childbirth in quite a bold manner, saying: "With loads and loads of gut bugs inside you, and they've formed inside of you as soon as you were born and shot out of your mother's canal, we started getting colonised by bugs."

As the camera panned to host Josie Gibson, she seemed to suppress a smirk while Dr Saliha continued to elaborate on the virtues of maintaining a healthy gut flora. The expert added, "And they help you in lots of ways, they help you digest your food. If you have a good collection of diverse bugs inside of you, they will protect yourself from heart disease, diabetes and even your mood can be protected from depression etc."

Dr Saliha explained the importance of gut bacteria, asserting, "So they are a wonder, gut bugs are a wonder." Yet despite the engaging discussion, it was the phrase "Mother's canal" that prompted viewers to voice their discomfort on social media platforms, reports the Mirror.

Irate users took to X once known as Twitter to air their views, with comments such as "Shot out your mother's canals, controversial.. #ThisMorning," while another said: "I really don't want to think about being shot out my mothers canal ffs! #Thismorning."

A third remarked: "'Shot out of your mother's canal' f***ing hell love, could have worded that better #ThisMorning."

However, some chose to see the humorous side of the situation.

One user quipped: "Doesn't mince her words does she #thismorning."

Finally, a different viewer commented with mirth: "'Shot out your mother's canal? ' wasn't expecting that #ThisMorning," accompanied by a series of laughing emojis.