Good Morning Britain's interview with Hugh Bonneville descended into what viewers are branding a "car crash" affair, sparking threats from fans to "switch to BBC" for their morning news fix.
The awkward segment unfolded on Thursday's show (October 31) as Hugh connected live via video link from the iconic Shard in London.
Fans were looking forward to the interview, hoping for an engaging conversation, but were left feeling cold instead after Kate Garraway interjected. The presenter excitedly revealed she was related to Paddington bear - a connection that seemed to leave the Paddington and Downton Abbey star distinctly underwhelmed.
Things went from bad to worse when a prior clip was played of Kate uncovering her supposed lineage to Paddington creator Michael Bond, which drew a lukewarm reaction from an unamused Hugh. Things continued to go downhill as Kate mistakenly quizzed Hugh about the late Maggie Smith's non-existent role in Paddington, instead of her well-known part in Downton Abbey.
Hugh corrected: "You mean Downton?" Looking a little flushed, Kate added: "You're right, it was Downton," reports the Mirror.
The debacle continued as viewers took to social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, with comments such as: "Ed balls asking if paddington took his own supply of marmalade to peru stupid t***** #gmb."
Disappointment echoed across the platform, with tweets like: "This shambles only goes to persuade me that I'm transferring my allegiance to #BBCBreakfast ...#gmb," and "#GMB Kate: I'm officially related to Paddington Bear. Me: Switch off TV."
Hugh was on the ITV breakfast show to promote his upcoming movie, Paddington In Peru - which is out in cinemas across the UK from November 8 - where he plays the role of Henry Brown.
It is the third installment of the popular marmite-eating bear franchise, with Hugh having starred in the earlier movies too.
The film is set to see Paddington and his adopted family, the Browns, decide to visit his aunt Lucy in Peru. However, circumstances lead them towards misadventures in the Amazon rainforest.
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Dame Maggie Smith never worked on any of the Paddington films, but did co-star with Hugh on the period drama Downton Abbey. The legendary actress died aged 89 back in September.
In a statement issued via their publicist, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."
