Good Morning Britain’s Adil Ray has sparked outrage for ‘fat-shaming’ Luke Littler live on the show as livid viewers vowed to call Ofcom and demanded an apology.
On Thursday, hosts Adil Ray, 50, and Kate Garraway, 57, were discussing 17-year-old dart sensation Luke Littler’s victory against Nathan Aspinal in the World Darts Championship.
Littler pocketed £100,00 after thrashing his 33-year-old rival 5-1 at Alexandra Palace and remains in the running for the £500,000 prize money as he progresses to the semi-finals.
It comes after the darts prodigy was named as the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year on December 17.
Despite his fantastic achievements, Adil felt it necessary to express his ‘worry’ for the teenager’s health.
Turning to Kate, he said: ‘I have to say and this might not be very popular, I’m a little bit worried about Luke. He’s 17 and he’s turning into the look of a darts player.
Good Morning Britain ‘s Adil Ray has sparked outrage for ‘fat-shaming’ Luke Littler live on the show leaving livid viewers vowing to call Ofcom and demanding an apology
Adil said: ‘I have to say and this might not be very popular, I’m a little bit worried about Luke. He’s 17 and he’s turning into the look of a darts player’
Despite his fantastic achievements, Adil felt it necessary to express his ‘worry’ for the teenager’s health
‘He is though. If I were his mum and dad, I mean, he’s sort of – look at him.’
Like most youngsters, Luke has previously said that he loves eat treats such as pizza, kebabs and Swizzels Squashies sweets before a match.
Commenting on this, Adil added: ‘He’s admitted he has pizzas before a match and sits there playing computer games. I just think I’d be a bit worried.’
With a raised eyebrow, Kate replied: ‘Are you? But he’s so successful!’.
‘I know!’ Adil responded, ‘But he’s going to get more successful and he’s going to keep on doing it. I just worry.’
When Kate asked if Adil was ‘fretting over him’ and if he thinks ‘it’s not very healthy’, he said: ‘Yeah, I don’t want him to get too unhealthy.’
Kate tried to make light of the awkward conversation by joking: ‘Really? Okay, well why don’t you pop over with a carrot? See how that goes down.’
Adil then laughed and said that he would give Littler a Pret salad just before the final.
Littler pocketed £100,00 after thrashing his 33-year-old rival 5-1 at Alexandra Palace and remains in the running for the £500,000 prize money as he progresses to the semi-finals
It comes after the darts prodigy was named as the BBC ‘s Young Sports Personality of the Year on December 17
Defending Littler’s eating habits, mother-of-two Kate said: ‘To be fair, lots of 17-year-olds like a pizza, don’t they?’
‘I know, I know,’ Adil said as he backed down, adding, ‘I’m just a bit concerned. He’s brilliant though, I absolutely love him he’s just great.’
Viewers were enraged by Adil’s comments, taking to social media platform X to demand he apologises and asking TV regulator Ofcom to investigate.
One wrote: ‘@GMB This vile individual fat shamed a 17 year old dart player. @Ofcom this is disgusting.’
‘Wow @adilray body-shaming like littler on live TV, call to @Ofcom needed @GMB He’s not even that overweight. I bet Adil hasn’t even seen the inside of a gym,’ said a second.
A third echoed: ‘@GMB Really, Fat shaming live on morning TV @Ofcom should investigate this shocking behaviour.’
Calling for the host to be removed from the show, a fouth said: ‘@GMB please ditch that Adil Ray! I hope he makes a public apology to Luke Littler after making derogatory comments about him.’
In an exchange between angry viewers, one said: ‘I can’t believe the body shaming by Adil Ray on this morning’s GMB about Luke Littler. This programme will have carried disapproving items on body shaming in the past. Leave the young lad alone. Would he have said that about a woman? I think an apology is in order.’
To which someone else responded: ‘And to think @adilray is Patron of a children’s charity aswell!!’
On Thursday hosts Adil Ray, 50, and Kate Garraway , 57, were discussing 17-year-old dart sensation Luke Littler’s victory against Nathan Aspinal in the Worlds Darts Championship
In 2017, Adil was appointed as a Patron for the UK’s and the world’s largest children’s hospice charity Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Acorns provides vital care for life-limited and life-threatened babies, children and young people and their families, across England.
Elsewhere, other viewers said they were ‘disgusted’ by Adil’s comments ‘fat shaming a young sports star’ and that he should ‘be ashamed’ of himself.
One said: ‘@GMB Disgusted watching Adil Ray getting away with insulting Luke Littler by fat shaming him. Kate Garraway then tried to make out he was concerned about the health of darts players. Adil has spent his career making unacceptable jibes at people under the guise of comedy!’
Others pointed out that the jibe at Littler’s health was a negative way to ring in the new year.
‘@GMB your hosts fat shaming Luke Littler, a 17 year old boy is unacceptable and unnecessary. Clearly a bitter & unhappy new year for Adil & Kate,’ said one.
Another remarked: ‘Nice to see Adil on @GMB being unnecessary about someone’s weight. Happy new year to you too…’
It’s not the first time a Good Morning Britain host has offended viewers with fat shaming comments.
In June 2024, Andi Peters faced backlash online for a remark he made towards Ranvir Singh.
Andi noticed Ranvir was online shopping when he caught a glimpse of her laptop screen and said: ‘I wouldn’t get that in a medium, Ranvir.’
In June 2024, Andi Peters faced backlash online for a remark he made towards Ranvir Singh
In September 2020, former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan felt that Andi had fat shamed him live on air
Fans took to social media at the time to shame Andi for getting away with being ‘rude about a lady’s weight’ and said that ‘anyone else would be cancelled and lose their job’.
In September 2020, former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan felt that Andi had fat shamed him live on air.
Piers had candidly expressed that he had gained almost a stone during lockdown but was left feeling upset when Andi came on screen doing a skipping exercise and made a harsh joke.
He said: ‘Good morning Susanna, good morning chubster! This is what you need to do, a little bit of skipping.’
Good Morning Britain airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
