The interview saw a 100-year-old veteran talk to Adil Ray and Kate Garraway.
11:50, 12 Nov 2025
GMB has been hit with hundreds of complaints (Image: ITV)
Good Morning Britain has been hit with hundreds of complaints after an interview that left viewers in tears.
During Friday’s programme last week, with Adil Ray and Kate Garraway hosting, World War II veteran Alec Penstone appeared on the show to discuss his memories of the war.
The 100-year-old was just a teenager when he joined the Navy, having helped to move the dead and injured during the Blitz at the age of 15.
He humbly began: “I can’t see anything that I’ve done, especially that wouldn’t have been done by other people of my generation.”
He said he was “just one of the lucky ones,” as he was “still alive,” while Kate called Alec “extraordinary.”
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Alec recalled being part of the D-Day landings and paid tribute to his own father, who had served in World War I.
As the interview wrapped up, Kate asked Alec: “What does Remembrance Sunday mean for you? What is your message?”
He sombrely replied: “My message is, I can see in my mind’s eye the rows and rows of white stones of all the hundreds of my friends and everybody else that gave their lives for what?
“The country of today. No, I’m sorry, the sacrifice wasn’t worth the result that it is now.”
Kate Garraway and Adil Ray presented the show (Image: ITV)
Adil then probed: “What do you mean by that, though?”
Alec continued: “What we fought for, and what we fought for, was our freedom.
“We find that even now it’s downright worse than when I fought for it.”
Kate had to end the interview at that point, saying, “Oh, I’m sorry you feel like that.”
She went on: “I want you to know that all the generations that have come since, including me and my children, are so grateful for your bravery and all that for service personnel.
“And it’s our job now, isn’t it, to make it the country that you fought for — you absolutely fought for.”
Kate and Adil supported the centenarian (Image: ITV)
Alec said, “It’s so wonderful to know there are people like you who can spread the word around. The younger generation.”
Following the interview and Adil’s question, Ofcom received 452 complaints, with a spokesperson confirming the majority related to “the presenters’ handling of an interview of WW2 veteran Alec Penstone”.
One viewer took to X after it aired, writing: “Never felt more shame than listening to the 100-year-old veteran on #GMB brought a tear to my eye. This is what should be on the front page of every newspaper!”
“Can we get Alec on every day?” another said.
A third wrote: “Alex. A true hero. Well said, sir. He should be given all the airtime he needs.”
The interview left viewers in tears (Image: ITV)
Another added: “Bless him! Give that gentleman as much airtime as he wants! Let him keep chatting!”
Someone else said, “I teared up watching this. Alec may as well be my Granddad sitting there, likely saying the same thing. Fought & died for what? We’re bereft of leaders.”
However, one viewer said, “This is the worst thing I have ever seen.”
Another asked: “Why was Adil trying to start an argument there?”
Someone else added: “This is utterly depressing, and he’s absolutely right. I don’t know what else to say.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
