Good Morning Britain viewers tuned in to see Lady Colin Campbell and Lindsay Meadows, a cuddling therapist, join the show to discuss whether workplaces should employ professional cuddles to “spread the love”.
During the conversation, Lady Colin Campbell did not hold back with her opinion on the matter and made a controversial remark which left the breakfast show hosts speechless.
Ranvir Singh, 41, asked: “Lady Colin Campbell who do you like hugging?”
But she was left stunned by the response, with the 69-year-old replying: “Well I like hugging who I like to hug. But you know, professional hugging skates very close to prostitution.
“The fact of the matter is, affection has got to be sincere, spontaneous, natural, to be desirable.”
Ranvir and her Good Morning Britain co-host Kate Garraway could be heard audibly gasping at the comment.
The camera then panned to show Ranvir looking at the guest open-mouthed.
But Lady Colin Campbell continued, adding: “If it’s paid, if it’s professional, you’re getting very close to not only moral problems, but psychological problems.
“I mean, if people have a problem, and need to be hugged they can have their own arrangements with their colleagues. I’m sorry I think it’s very dangerous.”
Lindsay, the cuddling therapist then explained how her job works, noting: “Normally I do one to one sessions, and the hugging is part of a process to make people feel supported.
“The hugging builds confidence, builds affection. [And there’s] a real focus on boundaries and what people are comfortable with.”
“Oh well, if it’s one to one hugging [private sessions] that’s slightly different.” Lady Colin Campbell remarked.
“But if you’re giving therapy in the workplace, and it’s orchestrated paid for affection, it’s a problem.”
To end the discussion, Kate, 51, suggested everyone hug it out and the writer even joined in.
Those watching today’s Good Morning Britain were quick to comment on the remark Lady Colin Campbell had made.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: “@ranvir01 your face was a picture when Lady Colin Campbell was talking lol.”
Another added: “@GMB Ranvirs face!!!! So funny! Hugging is prostitution – WHAT??”
“@GMB #GMB Hugging is no where near prostitution at all, I like the idea of a professional cuddler 🙂 it’s not dangerous to hug someone, it does help,” one viewer suggested.
“@GMB I really do find hugging an invasion of privacy,” another argued. However a viewer responded: “#GMB hugging discussion…brilliant! I need a hug – what a great idea.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
